Urban Loft transformed a series of interconnected, neglected commercial buildings from the 1880s into a serene private residence in a vibrant Milwaukee neighborhood. Decades of disrepair had caused the buildings to deteriorate, with significant roof leaks leading to rotted upper floors.    

“The project is beautifully detailed with elegant skylights extending light through the section. The reuse of an urban building, inventive space making in section, and integration of materials are all to be commended.”

Paul Lewis, FAIA (2024 Design Awards Juror)

The vision to create a private, elevated residence on the second and third floors of the structures presented challenges due to limited daylight and constrained connections between the spaces. To address these issues, the design included surgical removals and the introduction of three translucent light monitors into the roof structure, allowing natural light to penetrate the building and illuminate the interior spaces. Openings in the center party wall created transverse corridors, connecting the previously isolated spaces and flooding the building center with soft, natural daylight.

With the lighting and spatial issues resolved, the project focused on finely crafted casework objects to delineate rooms within the residence. Key elements included a lacquered bar, a glassy greenhouse, and a fluted oak kitchen wall, which defined the use and division of the space. The centerpiece of the project is a suspended steel stair descending from a light monitor, crafted with precision and rigorous execution to create a functional sculpture at the heart of the residence.