In Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, a historic row house finds new light. ✨
Architect David Bench of Bench Architecture reimagined this 19th-century brownstone with a thoughtful approach to flow throughout the home, pairing restored masonry with oak, stone, and sculptural detail. The result? A calm, cohesive space that balances original charm with modern ease. #hometour #renovation #architecture #brooklyn
This weekend on NBC’s #OpenHouseTV: Come see how architect David Bench of Bench Architecture reimagined this narrow Bed-Stuy brownstone with an emphasis on light, texture, and continuity.
First, the restored façade was stripped of paint to reveal the original masonry, and enlarged windows now fill the interiors with natural light. A custom white oak front door introduces a material palette that threads throughout the home, infusing a sense of warmth and cohesion to each level. Inside, the living room and main staircase share the same compact volume and are delineated by a detailed screen wall. Original brick walls were repointed and whitewashed to create a consistent tone, and the preserved fireplace maintains the building’s historic character. As for the kitchen? It features fully built-in white oak cabinetry paired with Basaltina stone countertops and backsplash (a lovely combination that is repeated in the upstairs bathroom to help unify the home’s material language).
Overall, this renovation demonstrates how even in a compact footprint, natural light and continuity of materials help make a home feel spacious and grounded, and redefine a modern version of Brooklyn living. #hometour #brooklyn #renovation
We were pleased to see the project featured in the Architects Newspaper @archpaper with the line: “At 53 Scott in Brooklyn, Bench Architecture learns from the surrounding industrial context to deliver a new building.”
We had the opportunity to design our first ground-up building in New York- The design is intentionally pared back. Thick masonry walls, deep window openings, and polished concrete floors establish a sense of permanence. Hallways built from simple CMU and high-grade welded doors reveal the craft of their making rather than hiding it. A place for studios, events, and creative community to take root.
Photography credits to @nicholas_venezia_photography . Thank you to @eliping for sharing your studio!
Glass block walls diffuse daylight into the centerpiece lobby, hinoki-framed shoji screens soften the bathrooms, and wellness rooms offer saunas, cold plunges, and treatments. All these elements support Sky Ting’s practice and ethos, creating a serene environment for movement and restoration.
Photo credits to @nicholas_venezia_photography
A new home for Sky Ting Yoga brings together two light-filled studios, spa and therapy spaces, and a calm central lobby. Designed in close collaboration with the studio, @krissy_jones@skyting the space reflects the clarity and focus of Katonah yoga with minimal interventions, thoughtful materials, and restored details.
We’re celebrating 10 years of Sky Ting and one year in their flagship Noho location!
Photo credits to @nicholas_venezia_photography
On Father’s Day remembering Leonard Bench, who fathered 9 boys and passed away last month at the age of 98. He grew up in Pittsburgh, building housing subdivisions with his 4 brothers at my great-Grandpap’s construction company, and went on to become an engineer, dragging his own kids into numerous DIY inventions, such as a gyrocopter (it flew at least once!).
Sharp as a whip and with an infectious laugh who loved babies and parrots he was truly larger than life. Hoping he finds a car to suit him on the astral plane, he bought, repaired, and sold more than 200 in his lifetime.
Thank you @archpaper for naming us as one of the Twenty to Watch 2025! We’re honored to be included alongside so many talented firms. Congratulations to our colleagues!
Join us for the award reception on March 6th — RSVP with the link in bio.
Thank you to @nicholas_venezia_photography and all our amazing collaborators who made these projects possible-
We’ve had the great pleasure to work with Ray for 10+ years on all things plaster and stucco. For our recent project at the new @skyting Noho location he’s done some incredible tadelakt that we can’t wait to show off!!! It’s not just the end result that we want to celebrate- his focus and intensity in execution is truly a beautiful thing to witness. Thank you Ray!
Big thank you to @nicholas_venezia_photography for capturing our POOL event on Jan 12 to preview the @saabrooklyn member’s club at 154 Scott. Thank you for everyone for coming!
Discounted memberships still available through the end of the month! DM for details.
Happy holiday!
We’re deeply appreciative to all collaborators and visitors to our POOL event on Friday at 154 Scott- thank you for making it a huge success!
@saabrooklyn is offering discounted memberships and account credit for all who sign up by the end of the day today- dm for details.
