Beaux-Arts Townhouse, New York, NY
The design of the New York rooftop was heavily influenced by the early 20th Century Beaux-Arts architecture of the townhouse, while also invoking French Classical motifs. The new bulkhead is modeled after Villa Trianon, a trellis-clad home built in the village of Versailles in 1903, two years prior to the completion of this New York townhouse. A focal point of the design is the garden area, where an infinity edge water pedestal features a casting of La Nymphe Arethuse, a sculpture originally commissioned by Louis XIV for his gardens at Marly. Louis XIV’s kitchen garden at Versailles is also referenced as a geometrical arrangement of raised beds located behind the bulkhead will be planted with edible plants, including a series of espaliered fruit trees.
It was a primary objective to complement the sculpture centerpiece and French Classical details, while also adapting the garden to the contemporary metropolitan context. The adaptation to this scale will result in a highly sophisticated urban retreat.
