House for book-lovers and cats!

Compiled by Neeti Patel

Photography: Francis Dzikowski; courtesy v2com

Read Time: 2 mins

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BFDO Architects designs a vertical home filled with special accommodation for an artist-poet couple and their two shy cats in Brooklyn, New York…

Finding interesting ways to carve out ample daylight and infuse colour into their abode, the architects have chiselled spaces for each of the family members to live, work and display the extensive collection of art and books; carving out seamless spaces for their inquisitive cats too, to languidly navigate through or escape from unexpected guests.

 

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The layout is configured as an open, airy 20 x 50 x 10 ft. tall primary living space on the parlour floor lined with a full-length bookshelf cum art wall and lounge space on one side along with a skylight at the centre. Shelves project to create steps for the cats to climb up to a continuous open ledge, whilst trap doors allow them access to rooms above at either end of the house. Niches with tones of Benjamin Moore’s melon popsicle house the owners’ eclectic collection of artefacts and books.

 

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The parlour floor is organized into four separate areas: living room, media room, dining area and kitchen that pinwheel around a ‘functional wall’ floating in space. Screening the kitchen from living room, it creates the hallway on one side to contain storage and access to basement, and defines the media room seating on the other.

 

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The studio occupies the rear end on the top floor with a balcony for quick work-breaks. The elevated sky lit “nest” in the corner provides for a concealed, cozy space to write and think.

 

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Downstairs is a “cat-free zone” intended for guests with a workout space in the front and a guest suite at the rear end. The all-white interior envelope metaphorically alludes to a white artist canvas and is anointed with pops of colour in the upholstery, with yellow columns and green bench… keeping it bright and inviting; tying the space to the rest of the house.

 

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For the two sets of habitants – human and animal – the home offers a fair share of individualistic as well as shared spaces; in sync with the needs and habits of its inmates.