This nearly 3,000 square foot penthouse loft has windows on all four sides affording close-up views of the Empire State Building, the New York Life Building and other midtown landmarks. It had been previously subdivided into a complicated arrangement of dark spaces that worked against the nature of the site. In addition to taking maximum advantage of light and the views, the client, who is an accomplished amateur musician, also wanted to be able to use the public areas of the loft for recitals and other music-related events.

While many of the existing elements, such as kitchen and bathrooms, have been kept in their original locations with only the finishes changed, the loft as a whole has been re-configured to create a sensation of light-filled and expansive space. The private quarters are discretely separated by a long hallway, and built-ins are used to hide from view as many functional elements as possible.

Mobile planar surfaces made up of such materials as translucent laminated glass and high-gloss aircraft paint define the boundaries of the main space and screen off the kitchen, elevators and storage areas. White maple floors, ebonized ceiling-height room doors and raw steel structural supports are all used to enhance the abstract character of the space.