Ridgewood Reverie
A Radical Renewal: From hazardous history to a plaster-clad wellness sanctuary.

This 1918 Ridgewood rowhouse presented a critical challenge: a mid-century renovation had encased the interior surfaces in asbestos, necessitating a complete environmental reset. We seized this "fresh slate" opportunity to transform the rowhouse into a model of urban sustainability. The building envelope was rigorously sealed with ultra-energy-efficient insulation across the walls, roof, and slab, creating a near-passive airtight shell that necessitated the introduction of a fresh air exchange system for constant air quality.

Going further, we fully electrified the home—removing gas entirely—and installed a rooftop solar array that spans the full building footprint. This system generates sufficient power to nearly offset the home’s annual energy consumption, reducing utility costs to mere delivery charges.

While the performance is cutting-edge, the soul of the home was meticulously preserved. We honored the original facade by fabricating new energy-efficient windows to the exact specifications of the 1918 originals, recreating the intricate curved muntins. This philosophy of "memory" extends to the lighting: we collaborated with Allied Maker to custom-craft a fixture for the staircase that pays homage to an original newel post light found on site. Allied Maker also outfitted the living spaces, complemented by fixtures from Vibia and Cedar & Moss.

The layout was reimagined for the owners—a couple of local musicians—to include a sunroom, a music studio, and a "hidden" powder room. The crown jewel is the primary suite, conceived as a Zen retreat in collaboration with Art in Construction. The ensuite is a monolithic sculpture rendered in waterproof plaster, featuring rounded corners and a custom-cast sink. Above, a bespoke skylight portal transitions from a circle to a square, capturing light in a geometric embrace. The suite is equipped with concealed dual-strip LED lighting, allowing the space to shift from warm ambient illumination to therapeutic red-light modes, turning the home into a dedicated instrument for wellness.