The following is a design for a new townhouse in Harlem NYC.
This was designed to be a modern take on the NYC Townhouse incorporating modern design, sustainability, and green space.
- Modern Townhouse Design
- Sustainable Design
- Green Space
Modern Townhouse Design
The townhouse is a modern version of the traditional New York City Townhouse. It is a four story walk up (of course you can add an elevator to a townhouse). The facade has 3 bays of windows as most townhouses following the general scale. Instead of building as a brownstone, we planned to use a more modern material: GFRC. This stands for Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete. These are precast concrete blocks that can be made into different textures and colors. We proposed two different colors, which can sometimes be seen on NYC townhouses.
The windows are wood, to create contrast with the GRFC Townhouse Facade, as well as add warmth, and include a little tradition in the design. The building does not have a cornice but there is a GFRC parapet. Since the townhouse has a green roof, we imagine the greenery overhanging the parapet and creating a visual affect of a green cornice. To further expand on the greenery, the facade has two planters built into the facade with wood paneling.
Harlem Townhouse Design
Sustainable Townhouse Design
Townhouse incorporates many sustainable design features and Passive House Design standards.
- Photovoltaic Panels (Solar Power)
- Green Roof
- Mini Split HVAC
- Instant Hot Water
- Energy Recovery Ventilation
- High Performance Windows and Doors
- High R Value Insulation (Closed Cell)
- Air Sealing
- Durable Long Lasting Construction
NYC Townhouse Roof Deck
Townhouse Green Roof
The townhouse incorporates green spaces in the rear yard, green roof area, and facade.
Townhouse Green Design NYC
Thank you for reading our blog post on this Harlem Townhouse Design.
I hope this was helpful. If you would like to speak with an architect about a potential project you can contact us at Fontan Architecture directly.
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Jorge Fontan, AIA, is an architect and founder of Fontan Architecture based in New York City. The firm focuses on residential design, including new homes and extensive renovations for discerning clients. Through collaborative dialogue that draws on the individuality of each client, projects develop as distinct architectural responses guided by thoughtful planning, precise detailing, and a commitment to creating enduring value.
