All articles by Dana Schulz

Dana is a writer and preservationist with a passion for all things New York.  After graduating from New York University with a BA in Urban Design & Architecture Studies, she worked at the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, where she planned the organization's public programs and wrote for their blog Off the Grid. In her free time, she leads walking tours about the social and cultural history of city neighborhoods. Follow her on Twitter @danaschulzNYC.
You’ll Fall in Love with Ryall Porter Sheridan Architect’s Red House
July 23, 2014

You’ll Fall in Love with Ryall Porter Sheridan Architect’s Red House

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And not just because red is the color of love; one look at this compact, but mighty Upstate cottage and your heart will start beating a little faster. The pop of color against the woodsy landscape, the modern yet rustic architecture, and the innovative, practical design--the Red House by Ryall Porter Sheridan is definitely swoon-worthy.
Find out why else we're crushing over this home
Map Enthusiast Creates a More Geographically Correct Version of Vignelli’s Old Subway Map
July 22, 2014

Map Enthusiast Creates a More Geographically Correct Version of Vignelli’s Old Subway Map

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For anyone in the world who's ridden the New York City subway, they've undoubtedly taken a curious gander at the system map, full of its rainbow-colored, crisscrossing lines. But what many riders may not know is that in 1972, a man named Massimo Vignelli was commissioned by the city to create a very different version of this map, immediately sparking controversy for its geometric simplicity and geographical inaccuracy. In 1979, Vignelli's map was replaced with a more organic, curving version like we see underground today. In 2008, the MTA commissioned Vignelli's firm to update their map, and a new version was put online to serve as the Weekender, highlighting weekend service changes. But now, underground map enthusiast Max Roberts has gone one step further, and claims he's come up with a perfect compromise between the Vignelli work and the MTA's signature map.
See what Mr. Roberts has come up with
East Hampton’s Kettle Hole House by Robert Young is an Organic Retreat Nestled in Pine Trees
July 21, 2014

East Hampton’s Kettle Hole House by Robert Young is an Organic Retreat Nestled in Pine Trees

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When we say organic here, we don't just mean the natural materials used throughout the house; we're referring to the fact that the project developed organically in response to the homeowners' seven-acre, East Hamptons lot and existing house. Built around 1982, the original structure was in dire need of a renovation. Robert Young Architecture and Interiors was committed to reusing as much of this house as possible, but wasn't sure if a restoration would be more economical than constructing a new house. Property surveys showed that the house was closer to the lot's picturesque kettle pond than current zoning would allow, so building a new structure would compromise privacy and the water views. From there, the Kettle Hole House was born amidst the lot's abundance of white pine trees.
See how the architects transformed the existing home into a cozy, contemporary retreat
LOT-EK Turns a Humble Shipping Container Into an Ultra Cool Penthouse with Empire State Views
July 21, 2014

LOT-EK Turns a Humble Shipping Container Into an Ultra Cool Penthouse with Empire State Views

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We've seen Manhattanites do all kinds of crazy and creative things to maximize space—from turning their ovens into closets to lofting entire rooms—but the Guzman Penthouse by LOT-EK is one of our favorite transformations. To expand this penthouse residence, LOT-EK revamped an old mechanical room, added a 20-foot shipping container to serve as the master bedroom, and created a spacious rooftop patio, all of which sit on top of the building with jaw-dropping Empire State Building views.
You can't miss the rest of this one-of-a-kind home
MADE Architecture Rethinks the Traditional Townhouse in Boerum Hill
July 21, 2014

MADE Architecture Rethinks the Traditional Townhouse in Boerum Hill

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When MADE Architecture was enlisted to help a young couple renovate their newly purchased Boerum Hill townhouse, they started from a blank slate--literally. The 2,400-square-foot home had been gutted by its previous owners, leaving nothing more than the floor joists and a brick shell. MADE took this opportunity to reimagine the interior layout of the traditional three-bay townhouse. By reorienting the stairway as a switchback, space was freed up on each floor, creating a contemporary, loft-like floorplan. The stairs also sit under a large skylight, which fills all angles of the house with natural light.
See how else the mix of old and new features in this home
Bookworms Rejoice: Upper East Side Mansion Boasts Palatial, Double-Height Library
July 20, 2014

Bookworms Rejoice: Upper East Side Mansion Boasts Palatial, Double-Height Library

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Most of us in Manhattan are lucky if we can find room to fit one, tiny bookshelf in our homes, so you can imagine our reactions when we saw the opulent, two-story library at 12 East 69th Street. Not only does it make us ashamed of our puny literature collections, but the room is at least three times the size of our apartments. The celestial ceiling mural, massive amount of black walnut built-in shelving, and custom spiral staircase are also making us green with envy.  Non bookworms, have no fear--this house has an equally regal, double-height media room, which comes complete with sound-proof walls, rich wood paneling, a 12-foot screen, and plush velvet seats.
You don't want to miss the rest of the palatial digs
INTERVIEW: NYC Architect Drew Lang Gives Us the Scoop on Hudson Woods, A Private Eco-Community in the Catskills
July 19, 2014

INTERVIEW: NYC Architect Drew Lang Gives Us the Scoop on Hudson Woods, A Private Eco-Community in the Catskills

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Move over Hamptons — there's a new second-home hotbed for New Yorkers: the Catskills. The four-season destination has been growing in popularity over the past several years, but is now reaching new heights thanks to Drew Lang and Lang Architecture's forest getaway community Hudson Woods. Located in Kerhonkson, New York, just two hours from New York City, the 131-acre development will feature 26 sustainably designed, site-specific dwellings, each located on its own spacious lot. Buyers can personalize their homes with curated upgrades including a pool and pool house, outdoor kitchen, vegetable garden, fruit tree grove, treehouse, and solar power energy system, among other things. Hudson Woods' tagline is "where design meets nature," and one look at the site makes this statement ring true. We sat down with Drew Lang to get an inside take on the project, and to learn more about the increasingly sought after Catskills community.
Read our full interview here
Kangaroo Clock by David Raffoul Doubles as a Storage Pouch
July 19, 2014

Kangaroo Clock by David Raffoul Doubles as a Storage Pouch

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Say goodbye to that ugly key holder and boring mail basket. The aptly-named Kangaroo clock by David Raffoul conveniently doubles as a storage pouch that can function as the perfect entryway catchall, while letting you know if you're running late. The clock would also look nice with dried flowers or sparkly jewelry peeking out of its pouch. Really, the possibilities are endless!
More about the design here
NYC’s Threat of Earthquakes on the Rise, But Tall Towers Have a Lower Risk of Being Affected
July 18, 2014

NYC’s Threat of Earthquakes on the Rise, But Tall Towers Have a Lower Risk of Being Affected

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You read it right, tall towers in New York City actually have a lower risk of being affected by an earthquake. The U.S. Geological Survey, the federal agency responsible for reporting and recording earthquake activity, recently updated their National Seismic Hazard Maps, which "reflect the best and most current understanding of where future earthquakes will occur, how often they will occur, and how hard the ground will likely shake as a result." One change to the maps since they was last updated in 2008 is that the east coast has the potential for larger quakes than previously outlined, but residents of NYC high rises are in a slightly lower risk bracket.
Learn why straight ahead
Another Studio’s Convert Vase Collection is Inspired by Architectural Geometry
July 18, 2014

Another Studio’s Convert Vase Collection is Inspired by Architectural Geometry

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As architecture buffs, we can't help but love that the Convert Vase Collection was inspired by architectural geometry, but even putting that influence aside, Another Studio's design is simply stunning. The trio of multi-faceted vases is made from a flat sheet of steel, folded and converted into shape by hand in the firm's London studio. The steel has a semi-matte finish and geometric patterns etched onto its surface, which creates an appealing aesthetic, a mix of hard and soft.
More about the design here
This Colorful Central Park West Apartment is the Perfect Family Pad
July 18, 2014

This Colorful Central Park West Apartment is the Perfect Family Pad

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Not every New Yorker needs a sprawling pad in a glassy tower. Many of us appreciate cozy spaces a little closer to the ground. If you love ogling homes that feel quintessentially "New York", you have to check out this colorful apartment located at 57 West 93rd Street. Perfect for a family of three or four, this wonderful 2BR/2BA sits on a leafy street just off Central Park West, and, quite rare for Manhattan, it's in a kid-friendly neighborhood to boot.
Take a look at what else this lovely home has to offer
PENCIL’s Lisa Belzberg Nabs Incredible Upper West Side Penthouse at an $8.5 Million Discount
July 18, 2014

PENCIL’s Lisa Belzberg Nabs Incredible Upper West Side Penthouse at an $8.5 Million Discount

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It looks like Lisa Belzberg, Operating Partner at Leeds Equity Partners, founder of the nonprofit PENCIL, and well-connected New York City socialite, has applied her business savvy to the real estate market, snagging penthouse 13 at 44 West 77th Street for $11.5 million, well below the original $20 million asking price. Dubbed the apartment with "the best living room ever," this 3BR/2.5BA, 4,187-square-foot unit has been featured on Bloomberg TV and Open House NYC for its opulent living space, which includes 24-foot, floor-to-ceiling windows, Corinthian columns, a hand painted Venetian plaster ceiling, and an eight-foot-tall 17th century stone fireplace that was imported from the Iberian Peninsula.
And that's not all. Check out the rest of this extraordinary home.
Pulltab Design Brightens Up this East Village Duplex with a Living Green Wall
July 17, 2014

Pulltab Design Brightens Up this East Village Duplex with a Living Green Wall

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The green wall at the 7th Street Residence designed by Pulltab Design puts our few measly house plants to shame. The custom-made garden wall was installed as part of an apartment renovation to be a focal point of the home, as well as to give the contemporary space a mysterious quality. A shallow reflecting pool sits under the vertically planted wall and serves as a landing pad for water droplets that fall from the wall's concealed irrigation system. Additionally, the pool, fabricated from folded steel sheets and complete with swimming goldfish, adds a calming water element to the living room.
More about how this sleek apartment comes
Live Out Your Childhood Fantasies in This East Village Home with a Metal Slide by Turett Architects
July 16, 2014

Live Out Your Childhood Fantasies in This East Village Home with a Metal Slide by Turett Architects

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It's not uncommon for NYC apartment buyers to snatch up two adjacent units and combine them into one space, but it is a bit unusual to request that your architect connect the spaces with a slide. And that's exactly what Turett Collaborative Architects (TCA) was tasked with in this East Village duplex penthouse. The previous homeowner, professional poker player Phil Galfond, bought two identical one-bedroom units, one on top of the other. They were transformed into a 2,400-square-foot, two-bedroom duplex with a new Italian-made Rintal stair. Clearly calling the bluff of this traditional mode of getting from one floor to another, Galfond worked with TCA to also install a stainless steel helical slide that descends through the double-height atrium.
More about the modern, playground-like feature right this way
See the Winners of the “QueensWay Connection: Elevating the Public Realm” Design Competition
July 16, 2014

See the Winners of the “QueensWay Connection: Elevating the Public Realm” Design Competition

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Earlier this year, AIA New York's ENYA (Emerging New York Architects) Committee held its biennial design ideas competition, focusing on the elevated viaduct portion of the QueensWay, a community-led project that seeks to transform a blighted, 3.5 mile stretch of abandoned railway in Central Queens into a linear park and cultural greenway. The winners of Queensway Connection: Elevating the Public Realm were announced in February, and are now going public tomorrow, July 17th, with an exhibition at AIANY's Center for Architecture. There were 120 entries from 28 countries for Queensway Connection, from which four winning entries and an Honorable Mention were selected. The jury included architecture, landscape architecture, public space, and transportation infrastructure professionals who reviewed the designs based on how well they created an effective and welcoming transition between the street and greenway. Other factors included community involvement, preservation of the existing infrastructure, and use of ecologically sustainable elements.
Your sneak peek before tomorrow's event
From Luggage to Luxury Hotel: Grzywinski + Pons-Designed Mixed-Use Building Rising at 119 Orchard Street
July 15, 2014

From Luggage to Luxury Hotel: Grzywinski + Pons-Designed Mixed-Use Building Rising at 119 Orchard Street

By
The times they are a-changin. At least on Orchard Street, which used to be littered with affordable clothing and luggage stores and home to the famous Saturday street vendors peddling their wares. Today, upscale boutiques and trendy restaurants have moved in, along with rising rents, and 119 Orchard Street is the latest convert. For over 40 years, Fine & Klein Handbags operated out of the storefront, but closed their doors in 2007. Shortly thereafter in 2008, SAS Property Management bought the property for $4.22 million, filed plans for a new 40-room hotel, and tore down the building in November 2010. Three years later, the plans were amended for a 10-story mixed use space, containing 16 hotel rooms and four residential units. Interestingly, the building height was the same in both renditions. Construction has already commenced, and we've just spotted a few new renderings on architect Grzywinski + Pons' website.
Take a look at the construction photos as well as building renderings
Nautica Founder Gets $27 Million for His Impressive Flatiron Townhouse
July 15, 2014

Nautica Founder Gets $27 Million for His Impressive Flatiron Townhouse

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$27 million is nothing to sneeze at, even if you are David Chu, the founder of international clothing company Nautica. Chu purchased the townhouse at 25 East 22nd Street in 2004 for $9.3 million. He then embarked on a gut renovation, replacing the limestone façade, adding fifth and sixth floors and an elevator, and creating a swanky mixed-use building that housed his corporate headquarters and a one-bedroom pied-à-terre. The home went on the market in May 2013 for $29.99 million, and has now sold to buyer Hannah Charitable LLC for $26.8 million.
Have a look at the interior of this elegant townhouse
Checking in on the Progress at One World Trade Center in Photos
July 14, 2014

Checking in on the Progress at One World Trade Center in Photos

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As many of you architecture buffs know, One WTC now rises a symbolic 1,776 feet, making it the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and the third tallest in the entire world. Designed by renowned architect David Childs of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, it also has a LEED Gold certification and is the most environmentally sustainable project of its size. After a temporary real estate slump, the 104-story, glass and steel building is now 56% leased, with big-time tenants like Conde Naste, Morgan Stanley, Legends Hospitality, and BMB Group. Eight years after construction began, One World Trade is at an exciting juncture with its tenants expected to move in by the end of the year, already beginning to build out their office spaces. The original crew of 10,000 has been reduced to 600, and we're checking in on what these remaining workers are up to.
Check out some amazing photos of the progress at One WTC
Glass Towers to Go Green? Environmentalists Are Calling for Stricter Regulations for Supertalls
July 14, 2014

Glass Towers to Go Green? Environmentalists Are Calling for Stricter Regulations for Supertalls

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Two of the biggest trends in the current NYC real estate market are tall, glass towers and eco-friendly design. Oftentimes, though, these two architectural movements don't meet, and now environmentalists are calling for stricter regulations that would make this marriage a requirement, by way of decreasing the huge expanses of curtain wall windows that the towers have adopted as their hallmark.
More of the debate this way
Matthew Baird’s Greenwich Street Townhouse Brings Meatpacking Style to the West Village
July 11, 2014

Matthew Baird’s Greenwich Street Townhouse Brings Meatpacking Style to the West Village

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One of the things we love most about New York's historic neighborhoods is that they each have their own distinct architectural style. So we were a little discombobulated (in a good way) when we saw Matthew Baird Architects's Greenwich Street Townhouse, which has infused the industrial, rough-edged style of the Meatpacking District into a traditional West Village-rowhouse streetscape. When they embarked on the project, both the architect and the client sought a contemporary, reductive exterior design to contrast with the warm ambiance and simple materials of the 5,000-square-foot interior. Baird's interest in prefabrication inspired the construction of the façade from a single piece of raw steel, which was lifted from a truck and bolted into place. When the 40' x 14' slab was transported, the inbound lanes on one level of the George Washington Bridge had to be closed!
Get a look inside this unique home
RLW Cabin: A Modern “Stone House” by Shadow Architects is an Eco-Friendly Upstate Getaway
July 11, 2014

RLW Cabin: A Modern “Stone House” by Shadow Architects is an Eco-Friendly Upstate Getaway

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We recently swooned over a traditional, historic stone house upstate in Brewster, New York, and we're now equally smitten with its modern counterpart in Barryville, just two hours away from Manhattan. The RLW Cabin by Shadow Architects was built from the ground up on a sloping, woodsy lot. A LEED Silver-designated building, it features many environmentally friendly materials and building methods and keeps a simple form so as not to compete with the natural surroundings. The 2,300-square-foot, rectangular cabin was conceived by owners Larry Cohn, Principal of Shadow Architects, and RJ Millard. Their getaway home was inspired by a loft-style lodge in which they had stayed in Shohola, Pennsylvania. When the Barryville lot matched their ideas, the building commenced. They chose the bright red door (a welcoming feature that the Stone House shares) as a simple finding device, and the dark wood siding was modeled after the color of pine tree bark in the rain.
See why we're loving this modern, green home
New York vs. London: A Real Estate Challenge on Both Sides of the Pond
July 10, 2014

New York vs. London: A Real Estate Challenge on Both Sides of the Pond

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While we're all still in the patriotic mood after the July 4th festivities, we thought it appropriate to put together a friendly little challenge between New York City and her cross-pond ally and sometimes rival, (what are the kids calling it these days, a frenemy?). In the left corner is NYC, global hub of finance and media, weighing in with a population of 8,405,837. And in the right corner we have London, the world's most-visited city, population 8,416,535. According to British real estate website Zoopla, the average price of a Central London home over the past year is £1.1 million or $2 million in U.S. dollars, topping the $1.6 million average selling price of residences in the core of Manhattan.
See how the cities battle it out in our three-round real-estate showdown
Funky Apartment in Flipper-Favorite 166 Perry Street Sells for $2.5 Million
July 10, 2014

Funky Apartment in Flipper-Favorite 166 Perry Street Sells for $2.5 Million

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166 Perry Street, the futuristic, Asymptote-designed condo with a vertical undulating façade, has become notorious for its failed flipping attempts. But the curse might be lifted at the eight-story West Village residence thanks to the recent $2.5 million sale of apartment 1B, a 2BR/2.5BA duplex that has been outfitted with modern touches and funky details. The 2,526-square-foot unit initially sold in 2010, a year after the building's completion, for $1.756 million. When the pad went on the market this time around in January 2013, it was listed for $3.995 million. Though today's owner had to lower the asking price, she still made a profit of nearly $1 million.
Check out the colorful digs here
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