This three-story, 5,280-square-foot rowhouse is located in Brooklyn’s Park Slope Historic District. It was built in the first decade of the twentieth century, and was designed in the Neo-Federal style. Our primary challenge was to preserve the architectural and historic integrity of this home while updating it for modern use.
![Park Slope Neo-Federal Front Facade](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/34cee0671159bc4bbaa5c1c098c259bc86d625d1-1584x1980.jpg?w=446&auto=format 446w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/34cee0671159bc4bbaa5c1c098c259bc86d625d1-1584x1980.jpg?w=741&auto=format 741w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/34cee0671159bc4bbaa5c1c098c259bc86d625d1-1584x1980.jpg?w=949&auto=format 949w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/34cee0671159bc4bbaa5c1c098c259bc86d625d1-1584x1980.jpg?w=591&auto=format 591w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/34cee0671159bc4bbaa5c1c098c259bc86d625d1-1584x1980.jpg?w=792&auto=format 792w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/34cee0671159bc4bbaa5c1c098c259bc86d625d1-1584x1980.jpg?w=792&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/34cee0671159bc4bbaa5c1c098c259bc86d625d1-1584x1980.jpg?w=1584&auto=format 1584w)
![Park Slope Neo-Federal Rear Facade Detail](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/db1338ea817eae6d23ec90f30053afa988d36e20-2666x2126.jpg?w=480&auto=format 480w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/db1338ea817eae6d23ec90f30053afa988d36e20-2666x2126.jpg?w=768&auto=format 768w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/db1338ea817eae6d23ec90f30053afa988d36e20-2666x2126.jpg?w=1024&auto=format 1024w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/db1338ea817eae6d23ec90f30053afa988d36e20-2666x2126.jpg?w=999&auto=format 999w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/db1338ea817eae6d23ec90f30053afa988d36e20-2666x2126.jpg?w=1333&auto=format 1333w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/db1338ea817eae6d23ec90f30053afa988d36e20-2666x2126.jpg?w=1333&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/db1338ea817eae6d23ec90f30053afa988d36e20-2666x2126.jpg?w=2666&auto=format 2666w)
Our most significant intervention was the relocation of the kitchen. Originally, the kitchen was housed in the rear extension, closed off from the rest of the house. We swapped the location of the kitchen and the dining room — a simple move that helped reorient the building’s entire center of gravity.
![Park Slope Neo-Federal Dining Room](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/5cd7cabad3c5631d66e29cdf720c94fa67a07a18-3840x2556.jpg?w=480&auto=format 480w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/5cd7cabad3c5631d66e29cdf720c94fa67a07a18-3840x2556.jpg?w=768&auto=format 768w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/5cd7cabad3c5631d66e29cdf720c94fa67a07a18-3840x2556.jpg?w=1024&auto=format 1024w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/5cd7cabad3c5631d66e29cdf720c94fa67a07a18-3840x2556.jpg?w=999&auto=format 999w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/5cd7cabad3c5631d66e29cdf720c94fa67a07a18-3840x2556.jpg?w=1333&auto=format 1333w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/5cd7cabad3c5631d66e29cdf720c94fa67a07a18-3840x2556.jpg?w=1333&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/5cd7cabad3c5631d66e29cdf720c94fa67a07a18-3840x2556.jpg?w=2666&auto=format 2666w)
The new dining room is housed in a long and narrow space. To create a feeling of openness, we added large, curved windows. These windows were inspired by the observation windows found on early twentieth century passenger trains, specifically the Twentieth Century Limited, which began service in 1902 and ran through the late 1960s. The addition of these curved windows is a subtle nod to the era in which the house was built, and they facilitate a seamless transition between the dining room and the adjacent garden.
![Park Slope Neo-Federal Pantry](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/d5067f973c51146652f6fe7b669287d35c767360-1584x2217.jpg?w=446&auto=format 446w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/d5067f973c51146652f6fe7b669287d35c767360-1584x2217.jpg?w=741&auto=format 741w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/d5067f973c51146652f6fe7b669287d35c767360-1584x2217.jpg?w=949&auto=format 949w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/d5067f973c51146652f6fe7b669287d35c767360-1584x2217.jpg?w=591&auto=format 591w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/d5067f973c51146652f6fe7b669287d35c767360-1584x2217.jpg?w=792&auto=format 792w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/d5067f973c51146652f6fe7b669287d35c767360-1584x2217.jpg?w=792&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/d5067f973c51146652f6fe7b669287d35c767360-1584x2217.jpg?w=1584&auto=format 1584w)
We then applied this design language to the three- story bay window on the rear façade. We replaced the traditional bay window, which had large mullions and small panes, with modern curvilinear panes that extend from floor to ceiling.
![Park Slope Neo-Federal Bay Window](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/9d935e0a319c6a575cb629f8b11ea38756ae72fd-1584x1980.jpg?w=446&auto=format 446w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/9d935e0a319c6a575cb629f8b11ea38756ae72fd-1584x1980.jpg?w=741&auto=format 741w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/9d935e0a319c6a575cb629f8b11ea38756ae72fd-1584x1980.jpg?w=949&auto=format 949w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/9d935e0a319c6a575cb629f8b11ea38756ae72fd-1584x1980.jpg?w=591&auto=format 591w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/9d935e0a319c6a575cb629f8b11ea38756ae72fd-1584x1980.jpg?w=792&auto=format 792w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/9d935e0a319c6a575cb629f8b11ea38756ae72fd-1584x1980.jpg?w=792&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/9d935e0a319c6a575cb629f8b11ea38756ae72fd-1584x1980.jpg?w=1584&auto=format 1584w)
![Park Slope Neo-Federal Kitchen](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/d6af52d529052710668c6b7c8d3541ac252cc7d2-2666x1904.jpg?w=480&auto=format 480w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/d6af52d529052710668c6b7c8d3541ac252cc7d2-2666x1904.jpg?w=768&auto=format 768w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/d6af52d529052710668c6b7c8d3541ac252cc7d2-2666x1904.jpg?w=1024&auto=format 1024w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/d6af52d529052710668c6b7c8d3541ac252cc7d2-2666x1904.jpg?w=999&auto=format 999w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/d6af52d529052710668c6b7c8d3541ac252cc7d2-2666x1904.jpg?w=1333&auto=format 1333w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/d6af52d529052710668c6b7c8d3541ac252cc7d2-2666x1904.jpg?w=1333&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/d6af52d529052710668c6b7c8d3541ac252cc7d2-2666x1904.jpg?w=2666&auto=format 2666w)
![Park Slope Neo-Federal Kitchen](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/db18758246e672a6aa8b8c3b8e9daea35bb50dbc-1854x2508.jpg?w=514&auto=format 514w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/db18758246e672a6aa8b8c3b8e9daea35bb50dbc-1854x2508.jpg?w=714&auto=format 714w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/db18758246e672a6aa8b8c3b8e9daea35bb50dbc-1854x2508.jpg?w=940&auto=format 940w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/db18758246e672a6aa8b8c3b8e9daea35bb50dbc-1854x2508.jpg?w=693&auto=format 693w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/db18758246e672a6aa8b8c3b8e9daea35bb50dbc-1854x2508.jpg?w=927&auto=format 927w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/db18758246e672a6aa8b8c3b8e9daea35bb50dbc-1854x2508.jpg?w=927&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/db18758246e672a6aa8b8c3b8e9daea35bb50dbc-1854x2508.jpg?w=1854&auto=format 1854w)
![Park Slope Neo-Federal Cupboard](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/0add48c6c701cb44460634d2a99b80f705234c5f-1854x2508.jpg?w=338&auto=format 338w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/0add48c6c701cb44460634d2a99b80f705234c5f-1854x2508.jpg?w=544&auto=format 544w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/0add48c6c701cb44460634d2a99b80f705234c5f-1854x2508.jpg?w=721&auto=format 721w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/0add48c6c701cb44460634d2a99b80f705234c5f-1854x2508.jpg?w=387&auto=format 387w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/0add48c6c701cb44460634d2a99b80f705234c5f-1854x2508.jpg?w=521&auto=format 521w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/0add48c6c701cb44460634d2a99b80f705234c5f-1854x2508.jpg?w=521&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/0add48c6c701cb44460634d2a99b80f705234c5f-1854x2508.jpg?w=1042&auto=format 1042w)
![Park Slope Neo-Federal Fireplace](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/b2f80d6c8cea9b7d39b5f2803ffce52773b3987f-2160x1441.jpg?w=480&auto=format 480w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/b2f80d6c8cea9b7d39b5f2803ffce52773b3987f-2160x1441.jpg?w=768&auto=format 768w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/b2f80d6c8cea9b7d39b5f2803ffce52773b3987f-2160x1441.jpg?w=1024&auto=format 1024w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/b2f80d6c8cea9b7d39b5f2803ffce52773b3987f-2160x1441.jpg?w=897&auto=format 897w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/b2f80d6c8cea9b7d39b5f2803ffce52773b3987f-2160x1441.jpg?w=1198&auto=format 1198w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/b2f80d6c8cea9b7d39b5f2803ffce52773b3987f-2160x1441.jpg?w=1198&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/b2f80d6c8cea9b7d39b5f2803ffce52773b3987f-2160x1441.jpg?w=2396&auto=format 2396w)
![Park Slope Neo-Federal Primary Bedroom](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/a39c201cf986016623f5c9f6949e454805e1653f-2160x1441.jpg?w=480&auto=format 480w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/a39c201cf986016623f5c9f6949e454805e1653f-2160x1441.jpg?w=768&auto=format 768w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/a39c201cf986016623f5c9f6949e454805e1653f-2160x1441.jpg?w=1024&auto=format 1024w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/a39c201cf986016623f5c9f6949e454805e1653f-2160x1441.jpg?w=897&auto=format 897w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/a39c201cf986016623f5c9f6949e454805e1653f-2160x1441.jpg?w=1198&auto=format 1198w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/a39c201cf986016623f5c9f6949e454805e1653f-2160x1441.jpg?w=1198&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/a39c201cf986016623f5c9f6949e454805e1653f-2160x1441.jpg?w=2396&auto=format 2396w)
![Park Slope Neo-Federal Bathroom](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/608c1579d280df1ebfcaacf78167c8716764d393-1854x2596.jpg?w=514&auto=format 514w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/608c1579d280df1ebfcaacf78167c8716764d393-1854x2596.jpg?w=714&auto=format 714w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/608c1579d280df1ebfcaacf78167c8716764d393-1854x2596.jpg?w=940&auto=format 940w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/608c1579d280df1ebfcaacf78167c8716764d393-1854x2596.jpg?w=693&auto=format 693w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/608c1579d280df1ebfcaacf78167c8716764d393-1854x2596.jpg?w=927&auto=format 927w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/608c1579d280df1ebfcaacf78167c8716764d393-1854x2596.jpg?w=927&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/608c1579d280df1ebfcaacf78167c8716764d393-1854x2596.jpg?w=1854&auto=format 1854w)
![Park Slope Neo-Federal Study](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/3e1c72f3fb43c04ce937718757811f51e9be6b5e-1854x2593.jpg?w=338&auto=format 338w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/3e1c72f3fb43c04ce937718757811f51e9be6b5e-1854x2593.jpg?w=544&auto=format 544w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/3e1c72f3fb43c04ce937718757811f51e9be6b5e-1854x2593.jpg?w=721&auto=format 721w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/3e1c72f3fb43c04ce937718757811f51e9be6b5e-1854x2593.jpg?w=387&auto=format 387w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/3e1c72f3fb43c04ce937718757811f51e9be6b5e-1854x2593.jpg?w=521&auto=format 521w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/3e1c72f3fb43c04ce937718757811f51e9be6b5e-1854x2593.jpg?w=521&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/3e1c72f3fb43c04ce937718757811f51e9be6b5e-1854x2593.jpg?w=1042&auto=format 1042w)
We refurbished the existing winding staircase and lightwell, allowing natural light to flow into the center of the building. In addition to restoring some of the original woodwork, our design called for the installation of modern millwork in twenty locations throughout the house.
![Park Slope Neo-Federal Stairwell](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/085f5f9fd0f84f0e8678d964a818ac916465947c-1584x2218.jpg?w=446&auto=format 446w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/085f5f9fd0f84f0e8678d964a818ac916465947c-1584x2218.jpg?w=741&auto=format 741w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/085f5f9fd0f84f0e8678d964a818ac916465947c-1584x2218.jpg?w=949&auto=format 949w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/085f5f9fd0f84f0e8678d964a818ac916465947c-1584x2218.jpg?w=591&auto=format 591w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/085f5f9fd0f84f0e8678d964a818ac916465947c-1584x2218.jpg?w=792&auto=format 792w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/085f5f9fd0f84f0e8678d964a818ac916465947c-1584x2218.jpg?w=792&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/085f5f9fd0f84f0e8678d964a818ac916465947c-1584x2218.jpg?w=1584&auto=format 1584w)
![Park Slope Neo-Federal Foyer](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/e7a33f219b10d1e73270bcf0ddd27e9c27625684-1854x2508.jpg?w=514&auto=format 514w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/e7a33f219b10d1e73270bcf0ddd27e9c27625684-1854x2508.jpg?w=714&auto=format 714w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/e7a33f219b10d1e73270bcf0ddd27e9c27625684-1854x2508.jpg?w=940&auto=format 940w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/e7a33f219b10d1e73270bcf0ddd27e9c27625684-1854x2508.jpg?w=693&auto=format 693w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/e7a33f219b10d1e73270bcf0ddd27e9c27625684-1854x2508.jpg?w=927&auto=format 927w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/e7a33f219b10d1e73270bcf0ddd27e9c27625684-1854x2508.jpg?w=927&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/e7a33f219b10d1e73270bcf0ddd27e9c27625684-1854x2508.jpg?w=1854&auto=format 1854w)
![Park Slope Neo-Federal Mudroom](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/a558b04ba917153226d8e6bf9cb1b7b1bccd9132-1854x2508.jpg?w=338&auto=format 338w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/a558b04ba917153226d8e6bf9cb1b7b1bccd9132-1854x2508.jpg?w=544&auto=format 544w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/a558b04ba917153226d8e6bf9cb1b7b1bccd9132-1854x2508.jpg?w=721&auto=format 721w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/a558b04ba917153226d8e6bf9cb1b7b1bccd9132-1854x2508.jpg?w=387&auto=format 387w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/a558b04ba917153226d8e6bf9cb1b7b1bccd9132-1854x2508.jpg?w=521&auto=format 521w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/a558b04ba917153226d8e6bf9cb1b7b1bccd9132-1854x2508.jpg?w=521&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/a558b04ba917153226d8e6bf9cb1b7b1bccd9132-1854x2508.jpg?w=1042&auto=format 1042w)
At the front of the building, we restored the stone stoop and vestibule, re-pointed the brick masonry, refurbished the ironwork, restored the wood cornice, replaced degraded cast stone coping at the parapet, and installed new windows in the original masonry openings.
![Park Slope Neo-Federal Front Facade](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/42ce4147133655a59b31f994311bc57a703ff10a-1584x2273.jpg?w=446&auto=format 446w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/42ce4147133655a59b31f994311bc57a703ff10a-1584x2273.jpg?w=741&auto=format 741w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/42ce4147133655a59b31f994311bc57a703ff10a-1584x2273.jpg?w=949&auto=format 949w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/42ce4147133655a59b31f994311bc57a703ff10a-1584x2273.jpg?w=591&auto=format 591w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/42ce4147133655a59b31f994311bc57a703ff10a-1584x2273.jpg?w=792&auto=format 792w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/42ce4147133655a59b31f994311bc57a703ff10a-1584x2273.jpg?w=792&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/42ce4147133655a59b31f994311bc57a703ff10a-1584x2273.jpg?w=1584&auto=format 1584w)
In collaboration with the interior design firm Jesse Parris-Lamb and landscape designer Marni Majorelle, we sought to create a balance between the traditional and the modern. As one moves through the home, the design transitions from classical to contemporary, creating harmony between the original architect’s intent and our client’s modern sensibilities.
Park Slope Neo-Federal received a Silver Medal for Restoration and Preservation in The Architect’s Newspaper 2022 Best of Design Awards. This project also received a Commendation for Engagement with the Outdoors in AIA Brooklyn’s 2022 Brooklyn Design Awards. The project was featured in Architectural Digest, Vogue Living, Brownstoner, and The Architect’s Newspaper.
Building Information
Location
Park Slope Historic District
Originally Built
c. 1910
Rehabilitation Completed
2021
Size
5,280 sf
Credits
Partner In Charge
Brendan Coburn
Project Team
Jesse Fearins, Claire Leavengood-Boxer, Lauren Abbass
General Contractor
Chilmark Builders, Inc.
Structural Engineering
Martos Engineering
Expeditor
J. Callahan Consulting
Interior Design
Jesse Parris-Lamb
Landscape Design
Alive Structures
Stylist
Katja Greeff
Interior Photography
Nicole Franzen
Exterior and Mudroom Photography
David Mitchell
Park Slope Neo-Federal