Prism Studio – Chappaqua, NY

The project involved renovating an existing 358 square foot storage space and converting it into an office for a small design firm. Originally built in 1980 as a woodworking shop with a small darkroom, it was situated on the other side of the carport from the main house and had windows only on the western elevation. To provide additional daylight and insulation, the exterior 2×4 walls were widened during the renovation. The design premise was to create a connection to the outdoors from every side of the building by framing the views of different parts of the surrounding garden, and to experience varying light throughout the day.

The renovation included adding a bathroom, resulting in a total of 400 square feet. Each individual window on the western facade is supplied with an integrated shade that can be manually controlled, and the added windows help to provide cross ventilation. At night, the office is equipped with assorted LED fixtures with varying temperatures and dimming possibilities, as well as occupant sensors. The bathroom is minimalistic in form and color scheme, allowing the space to be inhabited by natural light during the day and a sculptural treatment of linear LED light at night.

The existing slab on grade was transformed into a polished concrete floor, creating a reflective surface for the play of light and shadows. The old darkroom was repurposed into an eastern light-filled reading nook. The use of abundant light choices offers a symbiotic relation between one’s desire for adequate lighting and experiencing a space that is both soothing and functional.