There is something magical that occurs when iconic historic buildings are renovated to house new functions that its inhabitants feel at home in. Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut is already known for its Ivy League notoriety and historic architecture dating back to the early 1700’s. When John Ronan Architects decided to renovate the Yale Steam Laundry building, a new type of condominium was formed, melding its historic structure with contemporary functionality and aesthetics.

From the exterior, the iconic red clay bricks of Yale’s legendary facades look meticulously restored. The interior mixture of concrete and brick, vaulted floor structure, and oddly-spaced floor framing creates the skeleton of a magnificent residential space ready to be discovered. The design team didn’t want this to be a total ‘re-do’; in fact, on the contrary, they wanted its historical details and character to stay in tact.

‘The project design asserts that this character is important and should be preserved, and that new interventions should be minimal, legible and discrete. The project is as much about what one doesn’t do as it is about what one does.’ … The Arch Daily

While the interior bricks and concrete were painted in white, it gives a nice contrast to the modern elements that meet up with historical elements beautifully. ‘The hot rolled lacquered steel plate insertions in the public areas (entry, lobby, stair, exercise room) stand apart from the glazed white brick to form reception desks, bridges, stairs. In the residential units above, kitchen/bathroom cores clad in birch millwork are inserted into the existing shell to minimally convert the building to its new use.’… The Arch Daily

The Yale Steam Laundry Lofts are an example of designers respecting traditional architecture and improving the overall aesthetic through innovative materials and contemporary elements.

All photo credits: Nathan Kirkman via The Arch Daily