The Grand

What the client asked for

The rental market is changing all the time. These days, luxury rentals are not just for singles. Young families are increasingly moving to dense urban areas that are walkable and close to their jobs.

Such were the kind of residents our client had in mind for their new development in New Rochelle, a contemporary building with unmatched amenities located 28 minutes north of Manhattan. They wanted to create homes that were stylish, yet practical. This building, aptly named The Grand, is part of a series of residential buildings on the same block. Recessed balconies provide each unit with access to fresh air and incredible views of the beautiful, walkable city of New Rochelle.

The challenges we faced

The most interesting aspect of this project was our use of modular construction. The facade of this building consists of modular panels, metal and wood tone, with the wood-toned panels appearing in the door frames and recessed balconies while  the metal comprises the majority of the surface area. This interplay of metal and wood as well as cool and warm tones really gives the facade its personality, helping it to stand out among other similar buildings in the area.

Modular construction does have its difficulties, though, providing constraints for architects. However, we found these constraints to be opportunities for creativity. 

How we overcame the challenges

To ensure that every unit provided families with the space and comfort they needed, we opted for a double-loaded corridor. This allows each property to face either the front or the back of the property, opening them to a sense of light and space.

Creating this floor plan required a bit of trial and error, as we were hemmed in by the geometry of the modular components. We ended up conceiving the building in two sections. The cellar and ground floor serve as a podium on which the modular building sits. This provided us with a great layout and an efficient use of materials.