by Charles Lauster Architect, P.C. on August 23, 2010
Institutional Commercial Planning Residential
Williamsburgh Terrace
Brooklyn, NY 2010
CLA was the concept architect for this 86,000 square foot above grade residential project.
The site is half of a central Williamsburg block in Brooklyn. At both ends there are five story apartment buildings with retail at the first floor. In between are eleven three story townhouses. The entire site is excavated to two stories below grade for 60,000 square feet of retail and a parking lot.
The 86,000 square foot project is as-of-right. The developer is working with the city to provide substantially more “affordable housing” for more buildable area. In that case a tower would occupy one corner.
by Charles Lauster Architect, P.C. on June 21, 2004
Institutional Commercial Planning Residential
Cohen Residence
Cambridge, MA 1980-2004
The Cohens are old friends. CLA has been progressively renovating their house since they bought it 25 years ago. The 1890s Queen Anne exterior was worn but standing; the interior, student housing for a long period, was a wreck. The first floor became a single space with kitchen, dining, and living areas surrounding a central, four sided fireplace.
Five years later, an addition to the third floor in the rear was constructed. What had been an attic space was raised up to become a playroom and guest suite. This project was followed by the removal of the existing clapboard, windows and roofing and their replacement with new. The original Queen Anne details were all maintained.
The last campaign was in 2004 when the kitchen was touched up with new appliances and some new materials and the master bath redone. Twenty four years later, the basic design still holds up but the periodic tweaking keeps it all looking fresh.
by Charles Lauster Architect, P.C. on May 22, 1997
Institutional Commercial Planning Residential
Epstein Residence
Pawling, NY 1997
The Epstein residence is the main house of a horse farm on a country road dotted with horse farms. This beautiful Hudson Valley road and its white clapboard houses were important to the Epsteins who wanted their home to respect this tradition.
The three gables over the dining room, kitchen and office recall a barn further up the road. The use of clapboard ensures the connection to the other houses. Clapboard is a very efficient and technically refined cladding material. It is an example of American, wood building technology that has remained effective for almost two hundred years.
The private back of the house opens up to views of the mountains and backyard activity. It is the relaxed side of the house. The front, on the other hand, is less open and more dignified facing the passing public.
by Charles Lauster Architect, P.C. on March 20, 1989
Institutional Commercial Planning Residential
Harari Penthouse
New York City 1989
An existing one story penthouse that had originally been a maid’s quarters, was replaced with a two story, four bedroom penthouse. It’s new structure, the first floor has a living room, dining room, eat in kitchen and bathroom, maid’s room.
