Ainslie Penthouse
A Light-Filled Penthouse Between Nature and Skyline in Brooklyn.
Perched on the top floor of a five-story building in Williamsburg, this penthouse apartment unfolds as a continuous dialogue between interior space, outdoor living, and the surrounding cityscape. Originally constructed in the 1970s, the building sits along a quiet, tree-lined street characterized by pastel-colored houses and a distinctly neighborhood-scale atmosphere.
Occupying the entire top level, the apartment benefits from a unique spatial condition: direct elevator access into the home. From the moment of arrival, the space is defined by an abundance of natural light and an immediate visual connection to greenery. Expansive views stretch across Brooklyn and Manhattan, framing a layered urban panorama of treetops, church spires, and distant skyscrapers.
interior
- TIMELINE: 2021 - 2022
- STATUS: Completed
- LOCATION: New York, USA
- CATEGORY: Residential | Renovation | Extension
- SIZE: 1,620 sqft
- CLIENT: Private
- PHOTOGRAPHY: Nicolas Schimp
ONE OF THE CENTRAL DESIGN INTENTIONS IS THE SEAMLESS RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR. THE APARTMENT IS CONCEIVED AS A CONTINUOUS SEQUENCE OF SPACES WHERE THE BOUNDARIES BETWEEN INSIDE AND OUTSIDE ARE SOFTENED.
WARM, NATURAL MATERIALS PLAY A KEY ROLE IN ACHIEVING THIS EFFECT. WALNUT WOOD IS USED FOR THE FLOORING AND CUSTOM MILLWORK, WHILE THE TERRACES ARE CLAD IN IPE WOOD, CREATING VISUAL AND TACTILE CONTINUITY. THE PALETTE DRAWS FROM MUTED GREENS AND EARTHY TONES, ECHOING THE SURROUNDING VEGETATION AND ENHANCING THE SENSE OF CALM WITHIN THE APARTMENT.
The terraces are not treated as secondary spaces but as integral extensions of the home. Both are fully designed as layered landscapes, combining structure and spontaneity. Plantings include a mix of perennial and seasonal species such as tulips, rhododendrons, and wildflowers that bloom during the warmer months.
Inside, the apartment is organized around uninterrupted sightlines. Natural light flows from one terrace to the other, crossing the entire space without obstruction.
The kitchen is conceived as a continuous, sculptural volume that follows the geometry of the plan. It begins as a rounded piece of cabinetry and gradually unfolds into the full kitchen system.
Executed entirely in walnut, it features a refined half-moon pattern, paired with a green-gray marble reminiscent of eucalyptus leaves. The marble wraps both the countertop and backsplash with softly rounded edges. Upper cabinets, in a warm cream tone, rise to full height, framing the space while maintaining a sense of lightness. The dining space celebrates classic American modernism through carefully selected pieces: molded fiberglass chairs and an oval table with a sculptural base. A pendant light above completes the composition with a soft, diffused glow.
THE LIVING AREA OPENS FULLY TOWARD THE TERRACE, REINFORCING THE INDOOR-OUTDOOR CONNECTION. FURNISHINGS ARE ARRANGED TO MAINTAIN OPENNESS WHILE OFFERING COMFORT AND FLEXIBILITY. MATERIALS SUCH AS GLASS, METAL, AND UPHOLSTERED ELEMENTS CONTRIBUTE TO A BALANCED ENVIRONMENT THAT FEELS BOTH CONTEMPORARY AND TIMELESS.
OPPOSITE THE KITCHEN, A BAR UNIT INCORPORATES A FULL-HEIGHT MIRROR THAT REFLECTS THE SURROUNDING GREENERY, CREATING THE ILLUSION OF AN ADDITIONAL WINDOW AND AMPLIFYING NATURAL LIGHT.
THIS PENTHOUSE REPRESENTS A REFINED APPROACH TO URBAN LIVING, WHERE ARCHITECTURE SERVES AS A MEDIATOR BETWEEN DENSITY AND RETREAT. THROUGH CAREFUL SPATIAL RECONFIGURATION, MATERIAL SENSITIVITY, AND THE INTEGRATION OF LANDSCAPE, THE PROJECT TRANSFORMS A CONVENTIONAL APARTMENT INTO A LUMINOUS, LAYERED ENVIRONMENT.
SUSPENDED BETWEEN SKYLINE AND GREENERY, IT OFFERS A CONTEMPORARY INTERPRETATION OF THE HOME AS BOTH REFUGE AND OPEN HORIZON.
The bedrooms reflect a careful balance between efficiency and atmosphere. The primary bedroom features custom-designed millwork that integrates storage, a desk, and shelving into a single coherent system. Walnut is again the dominant material, used in both smooth and patterned applications, including herringbone detailing. Soft textiles and muted tones create an intimate, calm environment, while direct access to the terrace extends the room outward.
A custom-designed built-in by Tecla combines multiple functions into a single element: a walnut wardrobe column with a herringbone finish, a pivoting desk drawer, airplane wing–edged shelves, and a slatted walnut cabinet integrated within the shelving, echoing the kitchen design.
The wall is upholstered in Dedar Plushy 145 velvet, matching the bright green of the Kartell bedside tables.
On the shelves: a sculpture by Belgian artist Renato Nicolodi.
The main bathroom, lacking natural light, is conceived as a softly enclosed, tactile environment. Curved walls define the space, shaping the shower and integrating the vanity and mirror into a continuous architectural gesture.
Surfaces are clad in small-format finger tiles of Japanese origin, in a cream tone with subtle green undertones. The visible terracotta edges add warmth and depth, enhancing the handcrafted quality of the material.
Combined with subdued lighting, these elements create a quiet, immersive atmosphere that contrasts with the openness of the rest of the apartment.
Throughout the year, the vegetation evolves, offering changing colors and textures. in spring, the terraces become especially vibrant, with a rich spectrum of greens and blossoms transforming the outdoor areas into lush, immersive environments.
The integration of greenery also introduces a dynamic ecological dimension: bird’s nest within the planted trees, reinforcing the sense of a small urban oasis suspended above the city.
