Monroe Street

This rooftop addition to a historic Brooklyn brownstone introduces a practical yet playful new floor designed for our client’s growing family. From the street, the addition is designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding context, while the interiors embrace a more contemporary expression. Rising above the building’s original cornice, a slate-shingled mansard roof with vaulted dormers aligns with the roofline of the adjacent building.

The roof plane slopes upward from the front façade, creating a generous, lofted playroom at the rear. Two bedrooms are organized along the street-facing façade, while the playroom anchors the back of the addition. A centrally located, vibrant blue volume mediates between “public” and “private” zones, incorporating closets, a bathroom, and a lofted play area. Overhead, a pair of skylights further articulate programmatic zones within the playroom while bringing daylight deep into the space. At the rear, an expansive trio of sliding glass doors open the playroom to the terrace, strengthening its connection to the outdoors.

Collaborators — Murray Engineering, RJM Engineering, BMB Building Consulting