HR Penthouse
A Scandinavian-Japanese Penthouse Above Brooklyn.
Perched atop a contemporary residential building in Brooklyn, this remarkable penthouse offers panoramic views over Downtown Brooklyn and Brooklyn Heights, two of New York City’s most sought-after neighborhoods. The residence is crowned by an expansive private rooftop terrace directly connected to the apartment, a rarity in the city and one of the project’s defining features. Built roughly fifteen years ago, the building itself required no major architectural intervention. Instead, LABSCAPE Studio’s work focused on interior design, custom millwork, and the creation of a highly curated living environment tailored to the clients’ lifestyle and aesthetic sensibilities.
interior
- TIMELINE: 2024 - 2025
- STATUS: Completed
- LOCATION: New York, USA
- CATEGORY: Residential | Renovation
- PROGRAM: 3 bedrooms apartment. Entry gallery, Dining Room, living room, 3 Bedrooms, Kitchen, Office, 3 Bathrooms, Roof Garden
- CLIENT: Private
- PHOTOGRAPHY: Maurizio Maurese
THE HOMEOWNERS, A NORTHERN EUROPEAN FAMILY WITH A STRONG APPRECIATION FOR SCANDINAVIAN DESIGN, ENVISIONED A HOME THAT FELT SERENE, RESTRAINED, AND ALMOST ETHEREAL. THEIR BRIEF CALLED FOR AN ENVIRONMENT COMPOSED OF VERY FEW ELEMENTS, EACH SELECTED OR DESIGNED WITH EXCEPTIONAL CARE AND UNCOMPROMISING QUALITY.
The rooftop terrace represents perhaps the home’s most extraordinary feature. Unusually large by New York standards, it accommodates an outdoor kitchen, a dining area, multiple lounge spaces, and sweeping views of the city skyline. It functions as a true extension of the interior, blurring the boundary between indoor and outdoor living.
One of the most significant interventions is the sculptural slatted screen that defines the entrance sequence. Replacing a conventional partition wall, this custom walnut structure acts as an architectural filter between the entry and the living spaces. Through carefully positioned openings and niches, glimpses of the lounge and bar area are revealed, creating a subtle play between concealment and transparency. Crafted entirely in dark walnut, the screen establishes the material language that continues throughout much of the home’s bespoke millwork.
The living room revolves around a large pale pink Vitra sofa, complemented by a carefully edited collection of collectible design pieces and gallery-acquired furnishings. At the far end of the space, a custom oak credenza conceals sophisticated technology, including a vertically integrated projector and a motorized projection screen that rises seamlessly when needed. Designed specifically for the project, the piece exemplifies the studio’s commitment to combining functionality with refined craftsmanship.
The kitchen reflects the clients’ minimalist sensibility and recalls the quiet elegance of contemporary Japanese interiors. Constructed in whitewashed oak, it features dark stone surfaces for both the backsplash and central island, creating a restrained yet highly tactile palette. A long sage-green bench adds a subtle note of color while maintaining the room’s overall simplicity.
Above the dining table, sourced through a renowned design gallery, custom Murano glass pendants provide a sculptural focal point. The handcrafted black dining chairs were produced by an exceptional artisanal furniture maker known for its uncompromising quality.
ADJACENT TO THE LIVING AREA, A COMPACT BAR NICHE INTRODUCES ANOTHER LAYER OF CUSTOM DETAILING. FEATURING SMOKED GLASS BACK PANELS AND SLIDING SLATTED DOORS LACQUERED IN A SOFT MUTED GREEN, THE SPACE REMAINS DISCREET WHILE ADDING WARMTH AND FUNCTIONALITY TO THE OPEN-PLAN LAYOUT.
Like many New York residences, the bathrooms are relatively compact, yet the apartment includes three distinct spaces: a primary bathroom, a children’s bathroom, and a guest powder room.
The primary bath is clad in rich emerald-green ceramic tiles and incorporates a private hammam, creating a spa-like retreat within the home. In contrast, the children’s bathroom embraces a lighter and more natural palette, combining pale woods with delicate Japanese finger tiles in soft gray tones.
In the primary bedroom, a Molteni bed is paired with handcrafted pieces from Artisan, the celebrated Serbian furniture manufacturer renowned for its exceptional woodworking.
AT FIRST GLANCE, THE PROJECT MAY APPEAR UNDERSTATED. IN REALITY, IT IS AN EXTRAORDINARILY SOPHISTICATED EXERCISE IN RESTRAINT. NEARLY EVERY ELEMENT WAS CUSTOM DESIGNED AND METICULOUSLY CRAFTED, ALWAYS GUIDED BY THE CLIENTS’ DESIRE FOR SIMPLICITY AND REFINEMENT. DECORATIVE EXCESS HAS BEEN DELIBERATELY AVOIDED IN FAVOR OF CAREFULLY CALIBRATED PROPORTIONS, EXQUISITE MATERIALS, AND SUBTLE DETAILING.
A custom-designed vanity desk was conceived as an intimate private retreat, combining the functions of a workspace and dressing area within an elegant, jewel-box-like enclosure. Beyond the bedroom lies a fully bespoke walk-in closet finished in light bleached woods, leading seamlessly to the primary bathroom.
The children’s bedrooms were also conceived as fully custom environments. Two separate rooms are connected by a sliding partition, allowing flexibility between privacy and shared use. Soft green hues, bespoke furnishings, and richly textured textile wallcoverings create spaces that are both playful and sophisticated.
