Ruhl Walker Architects

We’re nearing completion of a renovation to a large apartment in a mid-rise Boston building.  As with all of our projects, a number of larger design goals were established early on for this residence, and subsequent details and decisions were made to bring the design vision to fruition. One of the primary goals of the design was to illuminate the entry level, just inside the front door, by cutting away floor structure and borrowing as much light as possible from a glassy penthouse above.  The entry space would be bright, uncluttered, and welcoming.  The newly created light wells form a bridge on the upper level, which unfortunately could not be centered above a door to an existing private study below.  To make matters worse, the study door could not be moved either.  This juxtaposition is quite prominent, and the distracting misalignment was driving us crazy.

Finally, we understood that we could create a balanced arrangement of flush painted wall panels to align with the bridge.  The study door is then completely disguised through some careful detailing and spring-loaded hinges.  Problem solved.  Added bonus: who wouldn’t want a secret study?

The existing study door looking forlorn and awkward under a new bridge.