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The Miami Art Journal

The House

Diana Kellogg renovates Tribeca residence with reclaimed elements

Architect updates historic building using materials from its industrial past

The Editors ·

Diana Kellogg renovates Tribeca residence with reclaimed elements

Diana Kellogg, a New York-based architect, has completed a comprehensive renovation of her historic residence in Tribeca. The home, located on Staple Street, has been occupied by Kellogg and her family for twenty-five years. It is situated near the studio she shares with her filmmaker husband. The building possesses a distinct industrial history, having originally served as cold storage for neighboring produce distribution facilities. It subsequently functioned as a plumber’s supply storefront before being converted into a residence approximately fifty years ago.

Kellogg had previously renovated and updated the structure gradually over the years. The decision to undertake a more extensive overhaul occurred after her children moved out. A significant change involved the removal of an old freight elevator. This space was replaced by a structure Kellogg refers to as the Green Room. This glass-wrapped nook is lined with cushioned seating and serves as a space for intimate catch-ups over drinks or for private video calls.

Salvaged materials from the elevator and other parts of the building were repurposed throughout the home. These materials were used to create structures for the kitchen, bookcases, and a staircase that connects the four levels. Kellogg noted that old glass and steel doors, windows, and other elements were moved around and repurposed rather than replaced. The decor remains industrial and spare, highlighting key architectural features such as the fireplace and the twenty-five-foot-long chestnut beams that span the ceiling. Kellogg stated that stripping these beams was difficult but added warmth and character to the space.

The upstairs bedrooms, which feature vaulted brick ceilings, were reconfigured as neutrally decorated spaces. These rooms are separated by sliding mahogany doors. On the ground floor, the children’s former playroom, which previously included climbing ropes and a swing, was converted into a comfortable TV room. This area features a large L-shaped sofa and various midcentury furniture pieces. Noguchi pendant lights hang from steel beams that Kellogg added to suspend the former jungle gym. One climbing rope remains in the space, which Kellogg notes is often mistaken for an art piece by visitors.

Key artworks in the home include a pair of photographs by Ljubodrag Andric. These were produced to sit on either side of the first-floor fireplace to provide depth and warmth. Downstairs, the walls are adorned with images of The Rajkumari Ratnavati Girl’s School. This school was completed by Kellogg in 2021 in India’s Thar Desert. The renovation maintains the building’s industrial character while adapting it for contemporary domestic use. The project demonstrates a method of updating historic structures through the careful reuse of existing materials and architectural elements.

Takeaway: Diana Kellogg repurposed the old freight elevator from her Tribeca home to create a glass-walled Green Room for meetings and calls.

Source: Dezeen