Inviting the Outside In

Louis Kahn once said “A room is not a room without natural light”, and here at the JMA team we couldn’t agree more. Natural light is an architectural element that is on the same level of importance as any other structural element needed in a building. A well-lit room gives someone a refreshed and uplifting feeling. Light is one of those powerful elements that can change the whole appearance of a home.

I am sure there has been plenty of times when you have been in a home or building and it gave you a vibe like the “walls were caving in." A dreary and darkly lit space can definitely give a home that effect. A good way to combat this is by expanding living spaces, opening doors and breaking down the barrier between indoor and outdoor living.

Unifying Outdoor and Indoor Living Spaces

When JMA designs, we see the outside as not separate from the home, but as an extension of it. Designing a house is an exciting art form because you want to choose the best layout, materials, and overall design aesthetic to draw the visitor in. Your house should make guests feel like they have a strong gravitational pull leading them all around the house.

The beautiful entryway at the 7th Street Brownstone

For our interior renovation project at a 7th Street Brownstone in Jersey City, we expanded the doorway lintels to create continuity from the entrance of the home, all the way to the back patio. As soon as you enter through the door, you get a perfect tunnel like view to the back patio area. It is almost as if the patio is calling you forward and a lovely natural light surrounds you as you move through the house.

Dining Room Designed by JMA

Creating Desirable Places in Your Home

At the 7th Street Brownstone, we gave it a complete transformation because it was not living up to its fullest potential. The home was very cramped, had a drab kitchen, and not enough natural light. JMA made some much-needed modifications using expansive windows and skylights to allow an abundance of light to flow throughout the kitchen. It’s amazing to see the positive energy the house now exudes with the brand new spacious layout and inviting aura. 

Contemporary Kitchen Designed by JMA

Finding Your Room Showstoppers

The 7th Street brownstone is a standout project for the JMA team because it has so many unique characteristics and personality in all the rooms. Personally, I think the kitchen is the ultimate showstopper. Everything about the kitchen screams JMA because it is the perfect combination of a functional and beautiful space with a sense of timelessness.

When we renovated the house, we aimed to make all the rooms become seamless and have a nice flow with each other. The beautiful cedar wood is the material that ties the whole house together. The red cedar wood addition we created in the back gives the house an earthier look. If you only looked at the patio we created, you might think it belonged to a house in a cabin somewhere, not an urban area like Jersey City.

Red Cedar Wood Patio Designed by JMA

JMA loves using our creativity and technical skills to give our clients their dream homes and fulfill their artistic desire. We encourage other architects and design professionals to always keep an open mind when designing. You never know when inspiration may strike and cause you to create that perfect masterpiece.

The Character of Adaptive Reuse

Did you know about the impact historic preservation can have on a city? Historic buildings, despite their aesthetic appearance and symbolism, can pose challenges in today’s modern society and people’s evolving changes. Look at New York decades ago, many of the buildings were once large factories made for different purposes such as manufacturing. Today, that is no longer the case, our city’s workforce evolved and those buildings changed to become more useful for the times they are now in.

Old factory buildings in New York

With the purposes for those buildings are no longer relevant and functional, this is when adaptive reuse kicks in. The old structures are adapted for a new use and have new life breathing into it.

Adaptive Reuse Saves Cities

If adaptive reuse no longer occurred, our city could consist of structures falling apart, abandoned buildings and more. Adaptive reuse has become an important tool to promote preservation along with economic viability of buildings and vitality of neighborhoods and districts. For instance, Jersey City is a historic district and the process of adaptive reuse is thankfully, trending in this area.

Jorge Mastropietro, loves designing in these types of neighborhoods because he appreciates historic districts and wants to update their buildings to fit today’s modern needs. In his project 526 Manila, he had the opportunity to alter the primary function of the structure while retaining some of the architectural details that make the building unique.

526 Manila Townhouse

The original house, an 1880 townhouse, was a 4-story brick building. JMA’s mission was to create two different 2-bedroom duplex apartments. JMA adapted the existing space to the new needs of modern life but kept the charm of the original style in its façade.

The house is situated between five similar row houses from the same period, which is the reason why the front elevation has only been restored and is further kept untouched.

Adaptive Reuse Reduces Energy and Resources

It is beneficial for architects to reuse an existing structure and shell because it reduces the need to manufacture and construct the building with new materials. Thereby, reducing the need for additional natural resources and the energy required to use them. 

Depending on the integrity of the building, it is more affordable and easier to renovate or to add on to existing buildings rather than to build new. The economic savings may differ from project to project.

Our 526 Manila project is a building that has great presence in the community due to its location, as well as its row style streetscape.

When JMA was working on the 526 Manila renovations, we made sure the interior also included changes to fit today’s needs. For instance, the environmental issues today have skyrocketed. Therefore, we used eco-friendly materials like bamboo floors, high efficiency appliances, and double pane windows. To provide views, the wall of the east façade (rear) on the first three levels, were opened and replaced by sliding windows partitions. In the lower apartment, the living area, kitchen and living room, were installed in the parlor level in order to get the best views. The living spaces were opened up to the exterior and the unrestricted views span from the front to the back of the house.

Stairs by the entrance at 526 Manila

Designed by JMA

Interior at 526 Manila

I think preservation and adaptive reuse should be a subject that is important to everyone. These historic buildings have a spirit to them, when they were first built; they represented the people and how they lived. For an architect to dismiss a building’s story is a shame because the entire city loses a part of its culture.  I love architecture because each building creates a narrative for our lives and the narrative always has the chance to change as time moves forward.

Citations

Sarafides, Athena. “Creating Sustainable Communities.  A guide for developers and communities-  Building Reuse and Adaptive Reuse”.  NJ Gov. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Web September 2007

The Past and Present of Jersey City

In 2016, CurbedNY named Jersey City as “Neighborhood of the Year”. No one would have seen this coming if they knew the history of this town from a few decades ago. In the past, Jersey City was a town that was definitely not sought after. In the past, the vibrant downtown area that residents enjoy today was relatively non-existent back then. It’s quite fascinating to read about the changes this city has undergone. For instance, the beautiful row houses you see in the image below are well worth over a million dollars today. In the 70s, these same houses were available for less than $100,000; the difference in price is incredible! 

Row houses in Jersey City 

History of Jersey City

Jersey City was one of the original settlements of New Amsterdam, which was later renamed New York, with a land grant awarded in 1630. Jersey City emerged as our country’s industrial power starting in the 1800's and played a tactical role in the American Revolution and Civil War. It became a major hub for commerce in 1824, with the opening of the 107-mile long Morris Canal. It was the initial destination for many immigrants entering the U.S through nearby Ellis Island, which operated from 1892 to 1954. The steamships transported more than 12 million immigrant passengers in search of a land with new opportunities. Some of these newcomers settled in Jersey City, a location full of brownstones and ornate townhouses built on streetscapes that were once farmland in the 1600’s.

Aerial View of Jersey City in the past

Morris Canal

Jersey City Turnpike in the 60s

Jersey City was known for being a manufacturing hub for most of the 19^th and 20^th centuries. Around the 1970s and1980s, the city experienced some economic cultural hardships. Jersey City had vacant lots, abandoned tenements, and a neglected waterfront. By 1980, Jersey City only had a population of 223,532. Thankfully, in the mid to late 1990s, Jersey City began to undergo a development boom. The old piers, railroad yards, and tracks along the Hudson River waterfront gained new additions of modern residential units and office buildings. This led to more people moving back to the city with the potential for new jobs and a better state of living. A city that was once bland was now getting a new breath of life.

Jersey City Today

Jersey City is an ideal location for living because it is close in proximity to New York City. It has many different transportation options available like the 24-hour PATH train, major highways such as the NJ Turnpike, and the NY/NJ Waterway. The commute from downtown Jersey City to Midtown is approximately 20 minutes. This city is an amazing place full of diversity, beautiful architecture, and a growing population. 

Jersey City Skyline Today

By 2018, Jersey City will have over 266,000 people living there, and it will continue to increase by 2035, where the population will approximately reach 334,768 residents. Jersey City is full of landmark attractions like the Liberty Science Center, Liberty State Park, Hudson and Manhattan Railroad Powerhouse, and the Colgate Clock Tower. Residents also love spending time with their families and friends visiting green spaces like Van Vorst Park, and the bustling downtown Jersey scene full of coffee shops, restaurants, arts centers and more.

Development

Jersey City is a town that is currently booming. According to Mayor Steven Fulop, there are 10,000 new residential units under construction and another 17,000 approved. Fulop, has encouraged large-scale development while simultaneously championing small businesses. More than 650 new small businesses have opened within the past three years, many of them bars and restaurants. Jersey City is a location where developers and architects are making buildings to suit newcomers’ demanding tastes. JMA has done many projects in this area like our buildings 93 Bright,54 Bright, 349 4th street, 526 Manila, and 7th street townhouse.

54 Bright designed by JMA

349 4th street developed by JMA

93 Bright developed by JMA

                                                                                                                                      

526 Manila Townhouse 

526 Manila interior renovation

7th street townhouse designed by JMA

7th street townhouse 

7th street townhouse

Jersey City is also great because of its diversity that hosts an array of ethnicities and cultures. It is a family oriented city with amazing historical architecture, charm, great schools and transportation access that makes getting around convenient. JMA appreciates the historic sensibility of the townhouses in Jersey City and respects the neighborhood’s historic charm. However, we have the skill to create modern buildings that blend in respectfully with its counterparts and in turn increase the value of the neighborhood.

Our designs are timeless and preserve the beauty of historic neighborhoods yet still let them shine in the 21st century. Jersey City is a city that pulled itself up by its bootstraps and has turned into a location that many people are excited to be a part of. In today’s age, it is important to respect the memory of a city’s past while embracing the present. JMA will continue to create buildings in cities that will help create a vibrant future.

Citations

Cruz, David. “In Jersey City, Gentrification Accelerates, Changing Neighborhoods and Lives”. NJTV News, 17 March. 2016

Kaysen, Ronda. "Moving to Jersey City? Join the Club." The New York Times. The New York Times, 12 Feb. 2016. Web. 04 June 2017.

McDonald T. Terrence. “Jersey City development boom reaching new heights.”  The Jersey Journal NJ.COM.  New Jersey On-Line LLC.  Web 13 April 2015.

Rosenberg, Zoe. “The 2016 Curbed Cup winner is…Jersey City!”. CurbedNY, 3 Jan. 2017.

City of Jersey City. “About Jersey City.” Web

VisitNJ. “Jersey City.” Web

The State of New Jersey. “A Short History of New Jersey.”

Black and white photos Source: Citi-data.com. U.S Forums. New Jersey “Jersey City before skyscrapers”. Web.

JC Landmarks Conservancy. “Legacy of Historic Preservation” Web. 04 June 2017.

The Art of Creating a Harmonious Design

A good design is not only measured in terms of creativity, but it has to deal with order and logic. When you look at a beautiful home, it should have an open layout providing a great sense of flow and exude positivity. A harmonious space just feels right, no elements are clashing together fighting for the spotlight. JMA always achieves the right balance of unity and variety when we design.

The art of interior design is choosing design elements that tie all the rooms together and stir interest and curiosity in the observer. These design elements include:

·         Shape

·         Texture

·         Form

·         Color

Creating an interesting design

Designers pull out certain tools from their toolbox to create a unified space. A great way they do this is through variety. Variety adds interest and energy to a design; it gives a great feeling of a space. All the different design elements, if utilized successfully, should create a dynamic visual layout.

JMA recently completed a Jersey City brownstone renovation on 5^th street. Our goal was to improve the interior space to bring it up to contemporary standards, as well as to bring in natural light wherever possible. Where natural light was not possible, accent lighting was used for a soft, diffused effect. The new lighting addition offers a clean streamlined look for the home. The townhouse now has a harmonious design that exudes a sense of calmness and coziness.

We are strategic in selecting the perfect finishes, furniture, and fixtures to be complementary to each other. When we design for any project, we aim to make beauty and function collide. The wood was a material we carefully repeated throughout the home. For instance, in the kitchen the dark wood added a nice contrast against the white cabinets.

Shape

We also created a wood and glass staircase, a combination that is modern and elegant. It is amazing how using one material like wood can set the whole tone of the space. It helped enforce our message of bringing an earthier minimal aesthetic to the home. 

The kitchen has unique storage areas for books that keep the space organized, stylish, and functional. We want our clients to have spaces that make them feel comfortable at home and add features that would be beneficial for each of their personal needs. 

Color

Color is a design element that can make or break your home. If you use too many colors, it is very jarring to the eye and provides no cohesion.  When it comes to picking wall colors for your home, less is more. For the 5^th street townhouse, we chose certain shades that highlighted the best features. In the kitchen, we went with a light blue backsplash. The blue color gives off a calming essence and serenity. Light colors are expansive and airy often making a room seem larger and well lit. 

In comparison, dark colors are sophisticated and create a more intimate appearance. In this bathroom, the dark grey color and the dark wood shower accents gives it a masculine feel.

Texture

In the second bathroom, we chose a green backsplash with lightly colored bamboo countertops. JMA believes in sustainability, using bamboo is an environmentally friendly material with a lot of durability. Bamboo adds a great illusion of texture to the overall look of the bathroom. We used sleek bathroom metal fixtures to create balance against the other elements.

The art of creating a harmonious design is choosing elements that appear as if they are meant to be together. I love design because it is about being imaginative and creating cohesiveness. We enjoy speaking with our clients, listening to their needs and working with them to make their dream home come to life. Design is like a puzzle piece with many parts. It is so exciting putting each of the pieces together and designing the interior to match the beautiful exterior of a home.  

Citations

"Design Principles: Balance, Rhythm Emphasis and Harmony." Design Principles: Balance, Rhythm Emphasis and Harmony. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2017.

Kennedy, Honor. "Unity and Harmony: Interior Design Basics." CoContest Magazine. N.p., 28 Feb. 2016. Web. 29 May 2017

Corvese, Rebecca. "Harmony And Home." Principles of Good Design: Movement. N.p., 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 29 May 2017.