New York City architect Michael Chen renovated an apartment in Manhattan's Carnegie Hill neighborhood, which included movable partition walls and designed different layouts based on the needs of occupants. The interior of this luxury apartment was renovated for a family of five who tried to allow some privacy between each other and guests while opening up the space. According to Michael KChen Architects (MKCA), the existing layout is a series of small rooms that do not allow for larger gatherings.
In the gallery, lights and hidden art tracks are cleverly integrated into the mill, creating a flexible display system for the family's rotating collection of contemporary photography. A minimalist kitchen and dining table, the dining room features a built-in benja with table location and a bookshelf around to get extra storage needed. When a family entertains, the table can be pulled open, creating a more formal dining environment. The table expanded, the banger was disassembled into chairs, and the chandelier rotated to the center of the room for a seamless transition between family meals and formal/entertainment venues.
The apartment measures an area of 371m2 and consists of four bedrooms, each with its own ensuite, as well as a formal gallery, dining room, study and dining kitchen. The building's elevator leads directly to the apartment, where the poured terrazzo floor is inlaid with curved copper strips, creating a "fun, expressive pattern". MKCA has reinvented the apartment's plans to optimize circulation and seamlessly transform the home from a series of private separate spaces into an interconnected, spacious landscape.
Throughout the residence, doors can be rotated and sliding, and rooms can be deliberately reconfigured as needed, providing space for families to spend time together, which MKCA considers a high priority while also allowing for independent activities. Bedrooms and private areas also have built-in cupboards to maximize storage or form a table or banquet corner. MKCA uses an exquisite palette of marble, wood, and patterned walls to cover private areas throughout the home. Three children's bedrooms share a separate living room and are located off another hallway for more privacy. The couple had very clear ideas about the way they wanted to live and what certain rooms would do, but they were interested in a more adventurous and expressive, but not eccentric approach and aesthetic.