103 Grand Street is a minimalist multi-family building located in Brooklyn, New York, designed by Of Possible. Loft living in Brooklyn has always been defined by contradictions – industrial grit meeting domestic comfort, raw materiality softening into livable space. But the warehouse conversions that established this aesthetic vernacular rarely offered what contemporary urban dwellers prize most – private outdoor access. Of Possible has resolved this tension at 103 Grand Street, a three-unit development in Williamsburg that reimagines the Brooklyn loft typology by prioritizing volumetric generosity and terraced outdoor spaces within new construction.
The building presents two distinct architectural identities. Its street-facing facade maintains continuity with the neighborhood’s historic red brick context, deferring to the masonry rhythm that defines this part of Williamsburg. The rear elevation, however, reveals a dynamic terracotta rainscreen system – a deliberate departure that transforms the typically neglected backside into a carefully articulated surface. The custom fluted tiles from Shildan echo the S-curve of interior linen curtains, establishing a material dialogue between inside and out. This relationship extends beyond visual gesture – the terraced configuration creates multiple private outdoor spaces for each unit, challenging the typical New York compromise between light and outdoor access.
Interior spaces prioritize the proportions that made warehouse conversions compelling. Double-height volumes of 18 feet animate each unit, while floor-to-ceiling glazing on the rear facade floods interiors with natural light. The material palette anchors these contemporary gestures in historical continuity through reclaimed heart pine from Madera Surfaces, sourced from a mid-19th century building in Queens slated for demolition. This wood appears throughout – flooring, cabinetry, window casings, door surrounds – its warm patina connecting 103 Grand Street to the original heart pine features common to Williamsburg’s factory buildings and townhouses.
The design pushes zoning limits not merely for increased square footage but for volumetric possibility. Where efficiency-driven development typically eliminates the spatial variety of converted lofts, Of Possible has structured 103 Grand Street around differentiation. No two units are identical, each offering distinct relationships between interior volume and exterior terraces. The material vocabulary reinforces this industrial vernacular: brick, patinated metal, heart pine, plaster, and large-format glass windows reference the neighborhood’s warehouse heritage while supporting contemporary environmental performance.
