CRStudio

On the first anniversary of Hurricane Maria, which struck Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo established the Hurricane Maria Memorial Commission to solicit designs for a memorial honoring the victims and to stand as an international symbol of the resilience of the Puerto Rican community. CDR’s entry was inspired by an existing public art piece located in San Juan: Tótem Telúrico, constructed in 1992 by Puerto Rican artist/architect Jaime Suárez, the exterior of which is made from earth and clay of the Americas in remembrance of history lost.

This renovation strategically redefines rooms through a series of three specialized walls articulated across the open-plan apartment. A custom-designed plywood screen (created through Computer Numerical Control [CNC] milling) features reflected, lacquered slats that slide and rotate parametrically from one side to the other—defining the apartment’s bar-lounge while permitting clear views to the Williamsburg Bridge.

This Hoboken residence underwent a significant renovation of the existing 3,200-square-foot brick and brownstone building. The four-story building was reconfigured for optimum lighting and ventilation, allowing a sense of openness that was not present in the original floor plan. The interior central bedroom on the 4th level was converted into a dressing area with a new operable skylight for whole-house ventilation. This dressing room and walk-in closet connects the master bedroom with a secondary bedroom.