1860's loft building reimagined as a biophilic + passive edifice in tribeca, NY

located in the heart of tribeca, manhattan, 6o white street marries high-end design and craftsmanship with an extensensive architectural preservation and environmentally conscious construction. the developer of this reimagined 1869 building – with a collection of eight residential lofts – is the sorgente group of america. with careful selection of materials and interior design, all the character and history of a landmark edifice are preserved and celebrated while creating a refreshing contemporary loft experience.

60 white building façade
all images © nico arellano

one notable characteristic that the sorgente group of america has envisioned for the 60 white lofts is its ‘passive house’ qualities, in which colorado-based zola windows  and NY bostudio architecture have played a crucial role. working hand-in-hand, the team transforms the building into a structurally precise, low-energy and high-performance design. on one side, a brand new class of windows is developed — pushing the technological boundaries while still replicating an appropriate look for a 146-year-old edifice. spanning three panes, zola’s american heritage SDH (simulated double hung) window are highly airtight to help create a well-insulated, draft-free building envelope akin to a thermos bottle. 

outdoor deck showcases expansive views of downtown manhattan

approximately 80% of the project’s materials have been reused or maintained from the existing structure. the rest of the finishes are sourced locally, helping breathe new life into the buildings. some of then include vermont danby marble from vermont quarries – home to the world’s largest underground quarry – and 300 year-old reclaimed oak from the hudson company. the marble embodies the performance and durability of the project, while the reclaimed wood speaks to the natural and historic quality.

warm colored wood panels cladded unto the 60 white street loft building, penthouse floor 

another striking component of the project is its biophilic dimension, where nature is embedded to improve the building’s living conditions. it features a planted living green wall in the lobby, offering aesthetic charm while contributing to a healthy and natural ventilation system. these materials help execute the vision of sustainability and historic preservation – choosing to honor the past while building for the future. 

giglio on white trailer 
video © two penguins 

zola lift & sliding door

living room with reclaimed flooring from the hudson company and overall contemporary textures 

custom kitchen pairs strips of reclaimed wood and marble sourced from vermont danby marble

SDH window spanning three panes, allowing ample sunlight to filter in

main bedroom

custom bathroom

bedroom featuring zola lift & slide door to outdoor deck

living green wall in the lobby contributes to a healthy and natural ventilation system

project info:

developer: sorgente group of america

architect: bostudio architecture

construction company: R&S construction, inc

preservation architect: CTS group
passive windows instalment: zola windows

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom