apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

That's amazing!

In the words of Borat: Wow wow wee waa!!! That's nice!

It's a box with a flat roof. Yawn

that is the best green roof i have ever seen!! how cool.

that is awesome!

That is pretty amazing, regardless of the location. The fact that it is in Manhattan is quite astounding. If this building has a doorman, it will be the most coveted piece of real estate in NYC history.

Wow, that is very cool.

What a dream... truly the best of both world, city life, country living...

Has anyone seen (or even better have photos of) the house on the rooftop at 13th & 3rd, in the Kielh's building. I have not seen it up close, only from the street, but I might venture to say it is even more spectacular, because it looks like a beautiful country home, right in the middle of the city.

I would LOVE to see pictures... anyone know the story behind that house?

This must becoming popular among architects as one Chicago architect has done something very similar in Printer's Row. I wish I could remember the publication that featured his project. I believe he also owned the entire building which made it easier to install additional mechanicals necessary for such a space.

boomer please - it rocks and you are jealous.

Anyone worried about that toddler clambering onto the surrounding wall and falling?

I'm going to need to change my pants now. thanks.

Fun house, but yikes, where did this whole "room porn," "home porn" phrase start and when will it end? It kinda makes me sick and I wish it would stop spreading. Does anyone else abhor this term as much as I do? I'm not a prude, I just think it sounds really really stupid. Not trying to hate, just wondering if I'm the only one alive who loathes this term.

Nice place and a spectacular setting. I wish there were more pictures of the interior.

I'm more worried that I'll fall, but it is a very cool place. Black-eyed Susans, how prairie!

You're not the only one Becky .. It's an odd phrase that doesn't seem to make sense (to me anyway).

I too dislike the term. Like the garden, though.

I agree with some previous posters, the term 'porn' doesn't fit. But the outdoor space with its views and openness, and unexpected expanse of green, and elegant simplicity----THIS is luxury.

I'm with you, Becky. A beautiful home that we enjoy looking at doesn't = porn. That's like calling a great work of art "porn."

I think the term comes from the idea that this is highly aspirational stuff, and not rooted in the worlds of reality for most of us, but is (generally) intensely satisfying to sneak a peak at.

But maybe that's just me. I like the term. But I likes me some regular porn, too. ;)

I have to go smoke a cigarette now, though.

And yeah, boomer, to look at the views and say "yawn"... gimme a break. Architecture does not always have to make a statement all on its own. Sometimes the success of architecture comes from how a view is framed, how a room or home is sited, the volumes it creates, and the interplay between indoors and out... and by those counts, this is a HUGE success.

Even if you don't like the building, at least give the landscape designer some serious props, couldja?

Glad I'm not the only one who hates that term! It just instantly conjures up HBO's Pornacopia in my head, and then I start thinking about sexually transmitted diseases. I mean I think I'd rather look at an online photo of a bedbug first thing in the morning than think about that...

Patrick - I did an internal cheer when I read your comments about the siting. As someone with a degree in Landscape Architecture, I feel like a lot of people (including some architects) don't understand the importance of site and context in architecture.

I think 'porn' is actually a benign yet mildly shocking (in a way funny way) name. It's appropriate because the rendering is of something you crave and/or lust for, albeit, in a non-sexual kinda way. And this house is definitely drool material in my book. Total eye candy, and totally worthy of the 'porn' appellation.

I find the expression "Home Porn" more amusing than anything else. It somewhat refers to the voyeur in all of us. It's tongue in cheek, shocking ... fill the blanks... Not to be taken seriously.

As for that house... what a beauty. But I wouldn't let my small kid run around unattended like that.

Snot - no, I'm not jealous. I'm bored with it.

I'm glad that people think it rocks - really, honestly, truly. My personal tastes find simple boxes to be boring and unappealing. That's all.

Every time I see a plain box described as "stunning" I honestly think of "The Emperor's New Clothes". But like I said, that's just me. I'm just not a big fan of minimalism.

And I'm not meaning to bash or offend those who are...lets make that clear.

I really liked the Victorian with the modern interior that was posted the other day. I thought that was a great example of total outside-the box thinking (no pun intended).

It just seems (to me, and probably only me but that's OK too) that all these minimalist boxes are as much cookie cutter as the ranch houses of the 50s. Dust a different kind of cookie cutter.

What I like about the modern Victorian was the "surprise!" factor.

Anyway I hope that makes sense...

I'm thinking the exact same thing as I Love Upstate....which clearly explains the term home porn....

Yes, Boomer, you were clear. But have not budged one bit on your thinking of what constitutes "architecture" and what gives this particular example it's wow factor. Here's a clue: it ain't necessarily the box, baby.

It's a prairie in the friggin' sky, where a whole city blossoms from it... and a manicured lawn that partners beautifully and gracefully with the beaux arts building peaking over the garden fence.

How is that, at all, yawn-inducing?

OK, that's a good point. I was too focused on the building that I missed the whole prairie aspect.

Guess I need to take more time to really look.

Apologies.

Art,
The Printers Row project that you mentioned was featured in Chicago Home Magazine this past Spring. Here is a link:

http://www.chicagohomemag.com/Chicago-Home/March-April-2007/The-Great-Outdoors/

Very cool. I guess if that kid throws that ball over the fence there really is no getting it back.