South End Brownstone
default
This renovated brownstone has a secret. Behind its newly built garage is a porcelain-tiled courtyard perfect for the homeowner’s young children to run and play on. But when the sun comes out and the weather gets warm, with the push of a button, a nearly impossible-to-detect lid opens to reveal a swimming pool. MDLA, along with Hacin (hacin.com), conducted extensive research to find this specific model with a movable floor that operates on a hydraulic system, enabling the homeowners to create everything from a shallow six-inch deep splash pad to a four-foot deep pool to nothing at all. Essentially a concrete pit filled with a stainless steel basin, the pool can be used all winter long because of its excellent insulating properties. Tall hornbeam trees provide an aesthetically pleasing wall to block the views of the alley behind, so while splashing about, it’s easy to forget the city just steps away.
566 Columbus Avenue
Roughly 60 condos in this building share two different outdoor spaces—a roof deck with stunning views and a sheltered courtyard. When residents step out of the elevator and onto the roof deck, the shift from inside to out is intentionally dramatic. MDLA helped break up the large expanse into distinct yet harmonious zones for grilling, dining, and relaxing using plantings, a fire pit, and various seating from tables to chaise lounges. Turf carpets one section, and irrigated planters filled with hearty grasses that can withstand the elements line the perimeter. Down on the ground in the courtyard, bamboo provides a pleasing barrier. The space is adjacent to the building’s exercise room, and MDLA included a smattering of black sculptural gym equipment that matches the building’s trim, for those who wish to take their fitness outside.
South End Penthouse
The L-shaped terrace off the living area provided an interesting challenge for MDLA, which had to solve the problem of making the narrow space useful. They built banquette-style seating and custom screen walls. To accommodate for a bump-out that housed pipes and vents, they created a reading nook. Lighting was integral to enable the space to pop from the closely connected interior and was installed throughout, on the ground, and even in the planters. Now, when the homeowners open up their doors, instead of a typical view of HVAC equipment, they see meticulous custom carpentry and the stunning skyline beyond.
Tremont Street Garden
What used to be nothing more than a neglected patio has been transformed into a sunken garden retreat with a sleek modern aesthetic. The homeowner pulls into his driveway, parks his car, walks down a set of stairs, and is whisked away from the hustle and bustle into a meticulously designed space for dining under the stars.
Everything is thoughtful, from the custom Vermont soap stone grill counter with ice box to the blue stone paving to the black steel cabinetry. The cool modern fence seen from the street is the only indication of the haven below.
