A 19th-Century Iron Foundry for a Still-Life Photographer, Transformed by Ravi Raj Architecture

When a pair of New Yorkers—a even now lifestyle photographer and a humanitarian help employee at the U.N.—were wanting for a spot to decompress in character, they stumbled on an not likely contender: an outdated iron foundry identified as the Clover Hill Foundry, unique constructed in the early 1890s.

Tucked on a hill in Somers, New York, the sequence of interconnected properties were being created to provide as element of an iron mine, but for good reasons that continue being to some degree of a mystery, they were being closed and deserted not lengthy after—”possibly,” in accordance to architect Ravi Raj—”due to a much larger rip-off procedure.” The properties fell into disrepair (and, according to the Somer Historical Culture, the mine shaft grew to become a nearby beloved swimming hole) right up until the 1940s, when a trio of artists transformed the buildings into independent residences, keeping—fortunately—many of the original aspects intact.

Quick forward to the 21st century: The New York few was taken by the spareness of the space and the way the windows framed views of the surrounding trees. To update the foundry for contemporary lifestyle, the duo enlisted a friend, Brooklyn-based mostly architect Ravi Raj, who had labored with Adjaye Associates prior to commencing his own studio.

With treatment, Ravi preserved the foundry’s authentic brick partitions and wooden beams, hewed to a stripped-back palette, then rearranged a number of essential areas and extra a “modern volume” suspended in just the soaring room. Be a part of us for a appear.

Pictures by Nick Glimenakis, courtesy of Ravi Raj Architect, besides where by famous.

the brick clad foundry is tucked into the hillside. a major update included rep 9
Earlier mentioned: The brick-clad foundry is tucked into the hillside. A significant update included replacing all of the initial single-pane windows with new metallic-clad variations “in purchase to enable in the most amount of money of mild.”

inside, the front door leads to a small whitewashed plywood platform. the neutr 10
Previously mentioned: Inside of, the front door prospects to a smaller whitewashed plywood system. The neutral, natural resources had been decided on to “accentuate the interaction among the existing masonry composition and newly described dwelling areas.” 
the living area is centered around a newly added malm zircon 38 inch fireplace  11
Earlier mentioned: The dwelling place is centered all over a newly added Malm Zircon 38-Inch Fire in matte black. “It serves as the focal stage in the area when also referencing the former fire that the moment existed there,” Ravi says.
the homeowner, claire, in a corner nook defined by wall mounted bookshelves. &a 12
Higher than: The homeowner, Claire, in a corner nook defined by wall-mounted bookshelves. “The first large-plank pine floors ended up stripped and then stained a dim brown shade to contrast with the white brick inside,” Ravi suggests. “Also, staining the flooring a darker tone permitted us to mix any mismatching existing planks better.”
an orange sofa adds daring color. 13
Above: An orange sofa adds daring colour.
a key move involved relocating the kitchen from the lower level of the foundry  14
Earlier mentioned: A critical shift included relocating the kitchen from the reduced stage of the foundry to the 2nd floor, where it is now of a piece with the living and dining area. (The shift also authorized for the addition of a bed room on the decreased floor, not pictured.) The pair of Flos Wall Lamps can swing outward to illuminate the eating desk.
the kitchen, with honed marble island, is tucked beneath a cantilevered
Over: The kitchen, with honed marble island, is tucked beneath a cantilevered “box” clad in dim charred-oak slats. “The inspiration was to produce an aspect with a purely natural bark-like texture that would just about sense like a different home in the home,” states Ravi. “This quantity seems to float inside the space though also defining the kitchen space below it. The charred wooden product also relates to the a lot of towering trees surrounding the house that are framed by the tall masonry openings.”
from the entry platform, newly added stairs lead upwards to a
Earlier mentioned: From the entry system, freshly added stairs guide upwards to a “screening room” and loft bedroom in the cantilevered box, suspended above the kitchen and dwelling regions. These new structures—the landing, stairway, and loft—are like “a contemporary volume established within the aged brick and timber area,” the architect says.
upstairs, the newly added loft bedroom is white washed and spare. 17
Higher than: Upstairs, the recently added loft bedroom is white-washed and spare.
lighter wood planks add to the feeling of airiness. 18
Over: Lighter wood planks increase to the feeling of airiness.
the view of the living area. (there are pull down shades, for privacy.) 19
Above: The check out of the residing area. (There are pull-down shades, for privateness.)
the bath, redone for modern times, references the building
Previously mentioned: The bathtub, redone for present day situations, references the building’s iron-ore beginnings.
a side structure, which formerly served as guest house, now holds the primary b 21
Over: A facet framework, which previously served as guest home, now retains the principal bedroom, finish with an additional wooden stove—the Shaker Stove by Wittus—for “a much more intimate setting for the owners to retreat to,” according to Ravi.

It’s maybe value noting, provided that there are two wood-burning stoves in this residence, that cast iron stoves are extremely substantially a component of New York historical past: The cities of Albany and Troy, more upstate, had been at the time two of the most prolific producers of these stoves in the entire world. Examine a lot more about that history—and the often elaborate designs—via the Albany Institute of Background & Art.

the timber extension that now holds the primary bedroom. 22
Previously mentioned: The timber extension that now retains the major bed room.
ravi on the entry landing. photograph by paul barbera, couresty of ravi raj arc 23
Higher than: Ravi on the entry landing. Photograph by Paul Barbera, couresty of Ravi Raj Architect.

For extra on the challenge and “before” shots—some courting again as far as the turn of the century—head to @clover_hill_foundry on Instagram.

And for much more historic structures redone as residences, see:

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