Outdoor Space Case Study

Photos courtesy of Bison Innovative Products

Project: Celadon Apartments
Location: San Diego, California
Architects: SVA Architects and Studio E Architects
Contractor: Turner Construction

The Project: Celadon Apartments at 9th and Broadway is a development by BRIDGE Housing, a group dedicated to creating affordable housing in California.

The Amenities: The apartments have modern amenities and expansive common areas including a 15th-floor terrace with stunning views of the San Diego Bay. Also featured are a dog park, three shared barbecue areas complete with an outdoor kitchen, and a resident garden, adding valuable, usable outdoor space to the building’s catalog. It is an ideal place for socialization, recreation, and quiet reflection.

The Outdoor Space Design: These shared spaces were constructed using 2x4 ipê tiles and concrete pavers supported by pedestals, ensuring not only an attractive, modern space for entertaining but also a perfect solution for turning the sloped rooftop into a beautiful, functional outdoor area. The large-format deck tiles and stylish décor emphasize the modern aesthetic of the courtyard. This rooftop space is complemented by an eco-roof with drought-tolerant plants. The drought-tolerant, native vegetation contributes to the reduction of outdoor water consumption and heat transmission into the environment.

The Results: This rooftop garden encourages social interaction and outdoor engagement, benefiting users’ health and well-being. Supporting a sense of community and reducing mental fatigue and negative emotions through environmental interaction may have contributed to this project’s LEED Silver certification.

Bathroom Case Study

Photo: Max Tuohey; courtesy of JDS Development (left). Photos courtesy of Geberit (center and right)

Project: Brooklyn Tower
Location: 55 Fleet Street, Brooklyn, New York
Architect: SHoP Architects
Developer: JDS Development

The Project: This new mixed-use building is Brooklyn’s first supertall structure and the tallest building in New York City outside of Manhattan, containing approximately 550 residential units across 93 stories with a height of over 1,000 feet. As the first supertall building in Brooklyn, it symbolizes the borough's architectural ambition and resilience. The tower's construction began in 2018 and is slated for completion in 2024.

The Opportunity: The integration of the landmarked Dime Savings Bank of Brooklyn as a key part of the new construction project posed a unique design opportunity. The bank was built in 1906-08 and designed by the firm Mowbray & Uffinger. As the business grew, the building was enlarged in 1931-1932 by the well-known architectural firm Halsey, McCormack & Helmer. Combining the bank building with the new skyscraper required a thoughtful approach to urban development, merging the past with the future.

The Solution: The bank was a key inspiration for the Brooklyn Tower's architectural vision. Its impressive silhouette mirrors the bank's hexagonal layout and intricate designs. The tower also adopts similar building materials, starting with white marble at its base, akin to the bank's facade, before smoothly shifting to a mix of stainless steel, bronze, and copper higher up. The design includes stepped-back upper levels that pay homage to the classic Art Deco skyscrapers of New York City. The original Bank Rotunda was maintained and recreated as retail at the intersection of Fleet Street and Dekalb Avenue. This central building is once again a key community hub.

The Bathroom Design: Designed by Gachot Studios, the principal baths are wrapped in honed Bianco Venato porcelain tiled walls, brass and bronze accent trim, and custom Bianco dolomite hexagon mosaic floors with an Absolute Black granite border. Custom Gachot-designed vanities feature Absolute Black granite countertops and custom sconces, custom medicine cabinets with charging stations, and Waterworks fixtures in a matte black finish. The shower floors are ornamented in hexagonal Absolute Black granite. Secondary bathrooms feature tiled walls with an oil-rubbed bronze accent trim, a custom vanity in a light Mahogany finish, Absolute Black granite countertops, Waterworks fixtures in a matte black finish, and Absolute Black mosaic flooring in a brick pattern. The powder rooms, located in select residences, are beautifully appointed with light mahogany millwork walls and a vanity with an oil-rubbed bronze base. Additional details include an Absolute Black granite countertop, Waterworks fixtures in a matte black finish, custom decorative lighting, and Bianco Dolomite marble and Absolute Black granite stone flooring in a custom triangular mosaic.

Concealed fixture installation systems were the ideal method for the connected floor-to-floor plumbing while providing additional floor space in the residential units. All 550 residential units plus amenity areas, common space, and back of house use this same method. In-wall toilet tank carriers and dual flush plates were installed in residential bathrooms with both showers and bathtubs. In the bathrooms, the challenge was to achieve the clean and aesthetically pleasing look of a wall-hung toilet but to have one to fit under a large vanity mirror that went across the back wall. This was achieved seamlessly.

The Results: As a new icon on Brooklyn's skyline, the project represents how historical preservation can merge with modern development. It's a testament to Brooklyn's evolution, offering residents a unique blend of history, luxury, and convenience. This tower isn’t just a building; it's a landmark that stands for the vibrant, diverse spirit of Brooklyn, inviting people to be part of its resilience.