This Townhouse Extension Foregrounds a Magnolia Tree

Barker Associates Architecture Office crafts a vibrant and full-of-energy extension to this chic townhouse in Brooklyn, New York.

Situated just a block from the Gowanus Canal in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, the extension stands out especially for its preservation of the existing saucer magnolia tree, making sure it has enough light, root, and canopy space to thrive. The family of four, a husband and wife and their two daughters have lived in the house for ten years and decided on the extension to expand their kitchen and to create bigger rooms for their daughters.

An arborist helped determine the size and placement of the extension, deck, and garden terrace, and a plant consultant helped choose appropriate native species for the garden. The poor soil and high water-table have necessitated the use of piles to support the extension.

The parlour floor stands opened and designed with built-ins to add storage while maintaining light and sight lines. A custom wall at the entry provides storage for shoes and keys on one side and books on the other. The existing stairs are repaired and reworked to extend around a widened opening to the second floor.

Likewise, the second floor is opened at the staircase to allow light to filter down to the first floor, with the original handrail modified to fit the new opening. The flooring is whitewashed heart pine and finds reflection in the hallway ceiling and on the skylight.

A new steel and wood staircase leads from the parlour down to the garden. On the garden level, a custom pegboard hanging system at the entry organises the family’s recreational gear. This level has a small kitchen for garden entertaining, with penny tile and a custom heart pine shelf, and a felt curtain to partition the space for guests. On an everyday basis, it serves as a home office for the man of the house.

The main kitchen stands extended and is built of custom lacquer and fir cabinetry with a warm tone that matches the rustic pine floors. The dining room is also part of the extension and features a window bench overlooking the rear yard.

There is also a green bath and a sunken lounge space with cement tiles that open out onto the rear yard. The garden delights with a bluestone terrace that curves around the base of the magnolia tree. Floating bluestone pavers lead to another terrace at the rear, edged by a cedar-clad bench.

The resulting extension to the home merges harmoniously and brings the whole house alive with lots of vibrant colours, patterns, textures, and cosy nooks.

Fact File:
Project Name: Carroll Gardens Townhouse
Design Firm: Barker Associates Architecture Office
Location: Brooklyn, United States
Photography credits: Francis Dzikowski
Text courtesy of v2com