Artist Atelier

By Editorial Staff - 1 October 2024

A combination of textiles, materials, and artwork has created an artist residence with vibrant colors and an eclectic character in the heart of New York. GRT Architects transformed the rectory of St. Thomas in Harlem into a home-studio for an internationally renowned artist. The building, dating back to 1907 and designed by Thomas Henry Poole, had been abandoned for several years, until the owner discovered it during work on the adjacent church.

The building stands out as a vertical block with pointed arch openings, which were preserved during the restoration to maintain the building’s historic identity. The Neogothic façade is tripartite, with a brownstone base, a central part, and a red brick crowning. The claddings were restored using different colored materials to distinguish them from the original ones. Additionally, a stone mosaic made in Italy was added to the upper part within a circular porthole, depicting the Greek mythological creature Medusa, who watches over the house from above.

Residenza Harlem Rectory - © Jason Schmidt, courtesy GRT Architects

The residence has five levels: there is an apartment for guests on the garden floor; the central body houses the main residence; and the artist’s painting studio is on the top floor, illuminated by a large skylight. On the ground floor is the kitchen, completely enveloped by ribbed wood and recycled terrazzo surfaces in shades of gray, red, and ivory. The adjacent dining room features a custom-made fireplace with multifaceted pink concrete tiles, designed by GRT Architects and inspired by classical architecture. The floor is characterized by hexagonal black and white tiles that echo the shape of the legs of the oak dining table.

A white perforated steel staircase extending across four floors leads to the double-height living room. The previous division between the levels is highlighted by a change in wall cladding, that passes from white plaster to ribbed wood paneling. Here, a large pointed arch window, the result of merging two openings, dominates the house, allowing light to permeate the interior. The color palette is bright and ranges from neutral tones to touches of purple and blue. Completing the space are elegant objects and designer furnishings, such as a large, quilted leather couch, a fabric armchair, and a blue-hued coffee table, which complement works of art by Lorna Simpson, Michael Young, and Jasper Johns.

Residenza Harlem Rectory - © Jason Schmidt, courtesy GRT Architects Il camino è stato decorato con piastrelle in cemento rosa, disegnate da GRT Architects, con una texture sfaccettata ispirata all’architettura classica. Un grande lampadario con sfere bianche a contrasto e fili neri domina il tavolo della zona pranzo, facendo da contrappunto alle forme spigolose della sala.

The bedrooms are arranged on three floors along a single side of the building, one above the other. The master bedroom is embellished with Persian rugs and curtains by Adam Pogue and a vibrant array of exotic colors and textures. The bathroom is inspired by Gothic vaults and Turkish hammams, featuring cream-colored Moroccan plaster walls and ceiling and a floor covered in a rainbow of small hexagonal tiles.

On the top floor is the studio, which was enlarged by removing the original roof to create a taller room, ideal for housing large works of art. A large skylight, equipped with motorized blinds, offers abundant natural light, illuminating the room and acting as a greenhouse for the numerous plants that populate the space. A Noguchi lamp inspired by the work of artist Danh Vo, a friend of the owner, runs through the stairwell across four floors, adding an original touch to the house.

Harlem Rectory Residence - © Jason Schmidt, courtesy of GRT Architects | The Neogothic façade was preserved using different colored materials to distinguish the new part from the original. The tripartite pointed arch windows were maintained, and two openings between the first and second floor were united to form a larger one.

Harlem Rectory Residence - © Jason Schmidt, courtesy of GRT Architects

Harlem Rectory Residence - © Jason Schmidt, courtesy of GRT Architects | The living room is a large, double-height space enhanced by a range of vibrant colors from neutral tones to touches of purple and blue. The space is characterized by a selection of refined objects and designer furniture, including a large leather-quilted sofa, a fabric armchair, and a blue-hued coffee table. Artworks by various artists give the home an eclectic soul.

Harlem Rectory Residence - © Jason Schmidt, courtesy of GRT Architects | The fireplace is decorated with pink cement tiles, designed by GRT Architects, with a multifaceted texture inspired by classical architecture. A large chandelier with white spheres contrasting with black wires dominates the dining room table, providing a counterpoint to the room’s angular shapes.

Harlem Rectory Residence - © Jason Schmidt, courtesy of GRT Architects | The focal point of the breakfast nook is the oval wooden table surrounded by seating and topped by a tall chandelier. The floor is covered with white and black tiles in a hexagonal shape.

Harlem Rectory Residence - © Jason Schmidt, courtesy of GRT Architects | A white perforated steel staircase clad in wood on the exterior extends through four floors. Artworks placed at different heights create a dynamic effect on the wall.

Harlem Rectory Residence - © Jason Schmidt, courtesy of GRT Architects | A guest apartment is located on the floor overlooking the garden. The living area includes a kitchen and a living room, featuring a wood-paneled island, embellished with a yellow-colored band.

Harlem Rectory Residence - © Jason Schmidt, courtesy of GRT Architects | The bathroom, which draws inspiration from Gothic vaults and Turkish hammams, has cream-colored Moroccan plaster walls and ceiling, while the floor is decorated with a mosaic of small, hexagonal tiles in bright colors that enliven the room.

Harlem Rectory Residence - © Jason Schmidt, courtesy of GRT Architects | The master bedroom is embellished with Persian rugs and curtains by Adam Pogue decorated with brightly colored geometric designs. An embroidered rug in shades of brown recalls the hues of the curtains, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Plants and canvas baskets complete the environment.

Harlem Rectory Residence - © Jason Schmidt, courtesy of GRT Architects | In the artist’s atelier, located at the top floor, there is a vast space dedicated to the owner’s work. This space is dominated by a large sloping skylight, which can be shaded through motorized blinds. Three pointed arch windows positioned along the walls allow light to flood the interior and complete the atmosphere.

Harlem Rectory Residence - © Jason Schmidt, courtesy of GRT Architects | The study, located on the top floor, is characterized by parquet flooring and a transparent wall with a wooden slat frame, which provides a glimpse of the staircase.

Location: New York City, USA
Completion: 2022
Gross Floor Area: 800 m²
Architect and Interior Designer: GRT Architects
Main Contractors: Architectural Specialties, Adlevise, Vision Build

Consultants
Structural: Old Structures Engineering
Lighting: Focus Lighting
MEP: Kohler Ronan
Landscape: space2place
Interior Decorator: Michael Kirkland

Photography: Jason Schmidt, courtesy of GRT Architects

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