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Since many of our parlor floor layouts are emphasizing an open floor plan and unobstructed site lines, designing coat closets into small nooks has become a fun exercise in space efficiency. This transitional Carroll Gardens townhouse project utilized the space under the stair (all of it!) as an all-purpose drop area. The sloped ceiling of…

This unique project posed many interesting challenges and details structurally, programmatically, and aesthetically. Upon purchasing this twenty five foot wide brownstone in the Brooklyn Heights Historic District, the Owners were charmed by some of the house’s existing historic details, but knew updates and repairs would be necessary to fit the needs and lifestyle of their…

Although you can’t easily get on a plane for international travel right now, it doesn’t mean you can’t attend international conferences! Passive House International and Passive House Spain are taking their conferences virtual this year! Michael Ingui will be speaking at the 24th annual International Passive House Conference on Wednesday, September 30 and the 12th…

This Brooklyn Heights apartment renovation required a design that maximized usable space. BIA Interiors designed this window bench that is perfect for reading, lounging, and extra guests. The cushion was custom upholstered with Metaphores fabric and the bench includes drawers below to store books, games, and linens for guests. The sconces from Circa Lighting brighten…

Our clients came to us after purchasing this Brooklyn Heights townhouse to maximize useable while making it more functional for their young family’s lifestyle. The solution involved a two-story rear addition that allowed the kitchen to be relocated from the garden level to the parlor in order to make the parlor level less of a…

We will be going live with New York Passive House as part of their ‘Architects Focus’ series to discuss the many lessons we have learned through design, construction and client feedback. This presentation will describe how we have learned to avoid those issues along with a deep dive into the details and components of our…

Learn about the healthy benefits of a Passive House and how to successfully achieve it in a historic brownstone. Enjoy a guided tour of one of our Passive projects from the comfort of your Zoom screen. Hear first-hand perspectives from the viewpoint of the general contractor, Certified Passive House Consultant, tradesperson, and Baxt Ingui, featuring…

Sometimes it is what you remove that makes the biggest difference. In this 16-1/2 foot wide Carroll Gardens Passive House, the removal of a portion of the rear parlor floor was instrumental in connecting the garden floor kitchen, dining, and den spaces with the front parlor floor living room.  Removing the portion of brick between…

This playful project was designed with a young couple moving from their Manhattan apartment into a Brooklyn brownstone. During the renovation, our construction scope expanded as the family grew with kids. Along with interior renovations and re-programming of the space, an existing rear extension was re-designed and enlarged. Design challenges and solutions: The existing kitchen…

An uncommon 1840s Gothic revival in excellent condition –  plus 25 feet wide – plus a Brooklyn Heights single block “Place.“ What’s the catch? There were some challenges: No reasonably sized, family-friendly kitchen on the living/dining level. The original proportions, composition, and details of the parlor rooms are so gracious that it seemed impossible to make space…