Elizabeth Roberts Transforms Brooklyn Building into Offices with Modest Clarity

Elizabeth Roberts Architects has undertaken a preservation-minded renovation of a single-storey commercial building on Degraw Street in Brooklyn’s Cobble Hill for the production company Arts & Sciences. The project traces the lot’s history back to 1855, revealing a sequence of uses—from early residential to a 1940s barbershop storefront.

The renovation respects the building’s layered urban memory while enabling contemporary creative work. The result reinstates a black storefront façade with three setback doorways and expansive windows.

Inside, the space is opened up to allow daylight to flood in and reveal original timber features.

Preservation-first renovation on Degraw Street

Through archival research and on-site analysis, the design team explored the building’s history. Their goal was to restore clarity and a modest presence within Cobble Hill’s streetscape while accommodating modern creative needs.

Historical investigations shape the renovation

By tracing ownership and storefront changes from 1855 onward, Elizabeth Roberts Architects established a framework for the renovation. Discoveries about the building’s residential use in the late 19th century and its mid-20th-century barbershop storefront informed decisions about massing, storefront treatment, and interior proportions.

Facade restoration and urban presence

The project reinstates the building’s black storefront façade, preserving the rhythm of three setback doorways and generous glazing. This restores a clear, modest urban presence that fits with Cobble Hill’s historic character and signals Arts & Sciences’ contemporary program.

Material honesty and street-scale articulation

The treatment uses a restrained palette and durable materials, ensuring the façade reads clearly from the sidewalk. The restored storefront communicates both history and modern function, offering a welcoming threshold to a bright interior.

Interior strategy: daylight, texture, and history

Inside, the layout is opened up to maximize natural light through large windows. Exposed wooden ceiling beams, picture rails, and original panelling are highlighted as features that tell the building’s story and add warmth to the workspace.

Space planning that supports creative practice

A central reception room anchors the plan, featuring tan lounge seating on layered carpets and a disco ball above the doorway for a playful touch. Flanking rooms are designed for both formal and informal collaboration:

• Private office with a wood-topped desk and black leather chairs for focused work.
• Meeting space equipped with a large table and green seating to foster collaboration.

Details, materials, and domestic atmosphere

Deep window ledges provide space for books and plants, while beige cafe curtains offer privacy without blocking daylight. The compact offices feature a curated collection of artworks and patterned rugs that add color and personality, supporting a creative atmosphere while respecting the building’s history.

Crafting a warm, functional environment

The design balances material honesty and comfort. By reclaiming original features and pairing them with contemporary furnishings, the project transforms a modest commercial space into a welcoming setting for creative work while honoring Cobble Hill’s architectural heritage.

Photographic record and impact

Photography of the finished project is by Chris Mottalini, whose images capture the interplay of historic detail and modern design. The project shows how small-scale interventions can contribute to a richer urban fabric through thoughtful adaptive reuse.

Why this project matters for architectural practice

Beyond aesthetics, the Degraw Street renovation shows a scalable way to preserve historic context while allowing for modern workflows. It highlights how careful façade restoration and daylight-filled interiors can create an adaptable workspace.

Human-centered details help make the space durable and flexible. This approach meets changing production needs without erasing the past.

 
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