An Architects Own Home That Is New York’s First Sustainable Mass Timber Home (House Tour)

In a stark juxtaposition from the materiality and pace of New York City, Brooklyn Mass Timber is an architects own home that steps away from the steel and concrete that dominates the architecture of the area. Schiller Projects creates an oasis made of timber, contained within one of the city’s coveted 1800s carriage houses. Not only does it test the bounds of adaptive re-use, but it sets an important precedence for housing in urban environments.

The project is an architects own home – the residence of Aaron Schiller, Founder of Schiller Projects, his wife Anna and their two young children. Located in Brooklyn just ten minutes from downtown Manhattan, it feels secluded while still being within easy reach of the city.

As one enters an architects own home, they are met with a view directly to the backyard, a three-storey wood staircase with a garden at its foot and the kitchen. As one ascends the stairs, the second level holds two bedrooms and a laundry room, bathroom and living room that looks out towards the cathedral, and the top level contains the main suite.

This project is a powerful paradigm for sustainable design and construction. Schiller Projects saw an opportunity to address aspects of the New York City housing crisis through using timber solutions. “Building with timber allowed us to take six months of framing and compress it into seven days,” says Aaron. Additionally, working with timber allowed the team to use simple components that can come undone, meaning the house is designed to be disassembled and create zero waste.

Schiller Projects worked with Fisher & Paykel to deliver a curated approach for an architects own home that allowed for a functional and flexible family home. Fisher & Paykel was chosen for its high standard in terms of sustainability, sourcing and customer service. The team delivered a durable kitchen that is the focal point of the home, full of light and allows for gathering and hosting.

An architects own home is imbued with lightness and a sense of calm. “In NYC, when you connect a building to the exterior it can make you feel more busy and tired, so we had to find ways to bring light, air and calmness in order to make the house a refuge,” says Aaron. “We did that through large windows and skylights that we built ourselves, so the house has a zen-like calmness.” In essence, the architect's own home eloquently integrates an existing brick building with mass timber in an innovative and sustainable renovation.

00:00 - Introduction to the Architect's Own Home

01:03 - The Original Property and its History

01:31 - A Specific Type of Building

02:00 - The Layout and Walkthrough of the Home

02:57 - Making An Example of Utilising Timber

03:40 - Designed to Be Dissassembled with Zero Waste

03:52 - Pursuing Passive House Principles

04:18 - A Curated and Integrated Approach

06:07 - Focusing on Connecting to Context

06:58 - Favourite Aspects of the Home