Architect tames the sun with redesign of South End penthouse

Dwelling Improvement

Studio J. Jih finds a way to educate the organic mild streaming in so the owners’ artwork has a prospect to glow.

By Regina Cole – Globe Correspondent

September 20, 2023

Is it at any time achievable to have also a lot natural light?

A couple who acquired a penthouse loft in a new South Finish significant-increase constructing identified, to their dismay, that they experienced too substantially of a great thing. A close friend related them to architect and designer J. Roc Jih, who used simple, time-honored tips of the trade to completely transform severe glare into subtle and softened illumination.

“The unit measures a long and skinny 2,500 sq. feet, arrayed against an exterior wall of the building,” stated Jih, principal and founding husband or wife of Studio J. Jih on Albany Road. Jih, who has built assignments as varied as a shortlisted memorial for the 1871 Los Angeles Chinese Massacre, a Boston artwork gallery, a Vermont holiday household, and a South Finish rooftop, is also a lecturer at MIT.

“That exterior wall, which faces northeast, is all floor-to-ceiling home windows,” Jih reported. “The sensation in the apartment was overexposed and cold, with huge glare coming in on a single aspect.

“And it had no identity,” Jih extra. “It could have been everywhere — Miami or Berlin or LA. The property owners wanted to introduce character and design, but that, way too, posed a problem. They have divergent tastes that mirror their heritage: Just one is Taiwanese-American and wanted an outwardly oriented, light-crammed place, whilst the other is a born-and-bred New Englander who required an inwardly oriented space with warmth and intimacy.”

To soften the glare, Studio J. Jih mounted sheer linen curtains that fall in folds in opposition to the dwelling space and bed room windows. In the bedrooms, the sheers are augmented by opaque layers. For warmth and character, the inside walls of those people rooms are lined with personalized slatted walnut paneling integrated lights creates glow from previously mentioned and guiding.

“The walnut slab speaks of Taiwanese heritage, and the linen sheers are classically New England,” Jih mentioned. “To develop a official softness, we released a large amount of delicate curves with the furnishings. And, to match each homeowners’ design and style preferences, we chose home furniture that is reminiscent of Mid-Century Danish Modern style and design, which borrowed from the two Shaker and Chinese Ming Dynasty sensibilities.”

Considerably of the home furniture, including the eating table and chairs, is from Artisan, a contemporary European enterprise. Jih is particularly fond of the chandelier descending over the dining desk. From Lindsey Adelman, its brass and porcelain elements diffuse and soften the mild in echo of the linen sheers and the light-weight glowing from at the rear of the walnut slats.

Studio J. Jih launched plants to soften and carry life into the place and to just take gain of the plentiful purely natural mild. An enormous chicken of paradise fills a residing room corner, when the kitchen area offers a environmentally friendly column wall comprising herbs and ferns.

At the request of art-loving property owners, Studio J. Jih chosen paintings for the condominium with the aid of art consultants Paterson Zevi. New England is represented in the residing space with a dreamy landscape by Cape Cod artist Ann Packard, although, in the key bed room, an enigmatic portray by Tala Madani presents an expressive counterpoint to the slatted wood panels.

The light even now pours in from the outdoors, but now it softly illuminates greenery, preferred furnishings, and artwork that speak of the individuals who dwell here.

Architecture and interior layout Studio J. Jih

Basic contractor Boston Craftsmen (headed by Rick Nicholson)

Millwork Herrick & White

Lighting and automation Bang & Olufsen

Boston artwork consultation Studio J. Jih with Paterson Zevi

Photography Chuck Choi

Regina Cole can be reached at [email protected].