The Creative Compound: A high-performance retrofit and artist’s sanctuary in Ridgewood.

This Ridgewood semi-attached townhouse was reimagined as a holistic machine for living and creating. The project began as a "down to the studs" gut renovation, driven by the discovery that the existing structure was entirely uninsulated. We responded with a comprehensive envelope upgrade, wrapping the home in a new exterior ventilated rainscreen and high-density insulation. The entry sequence was redefined with new paving and weathering Corten steel planters, signaling a modern intervention from the street.

Inside, we leveraged the building's semi-detached footprint to introduce large new structural openings along the side yard, flooding the primary level with natural light. The open plan features European white oak floors and a sleek kitchen outfitted with custom German cabinetry. Lighting was a central design focus; our studio designed the schematic throughout, including a custom-sourced chandelier arrangement that creates a sculptural focal point over the dining area.

Uniquely tailored to the owners' creative lives, the home functions as a multi-disciplinary workspace. The basement was excavated and transformed into a sound-optimized music studio and media lounge, alongside a professional-grade darkroom for developing large-scale photography. In the rear yard, the garage was clad in cedar and reimagined as a flexible artist studio, featuring a large door that pivots to become a gallery wall for displaying art.

The exterior spaces were treated with equal care, designed as a self-sustaining green sanctuary. The rear garden features nutrient-rich soil prepared for local micro-farming, anchored by a custom-designed bench system that integrates seating, storage, and privacy planting—creating a lush, private retreat within the city.