Joseph Stella - architect - 21 Grace Court Alley, Brooklyn Heights, NY

    Publications

              New York 2000, Robert AM Stern, Monacelli Press, 2006
              "Stella cleverly designed the house................"

               District Lines (Views of the Historic Districts Council), Autumn 2004, Vol XVIII
               "...an inventive and wry take on historic architectural forms..."

Sarascope Magazine, March 2004, "Special recognition award"

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, August 21, 2003,
"Architect wins award for carriage house design"

               An Architectural Guidebook to Brooklyn, Francis Morrone, 2001
               "Lovely old carriage houses line Grace Court Alley, with a particularly fine
               specimen at the terminal axis." (# 21)

AIA Guide to New York City, Fourth Edition 2000, "Pas mal"

New York Times, August 1, 1993
"Architectural sleight of hand, Mr. Stella came up with an ingenious solution"

Brooklyn Bridge Magazine, July 1997
"Many architects told the clients it was impossible"

Brooklyn Heights Press, January 7, 1993,
"Architect creates an illusory effect"

The Brooklyn Daily Bulletin, January 8, 1993
"the carriage house will add a nice element at the end of the alley"

      Awards
        Design Award for Excellence 2006
                California Council, Society of American Registered Architects

               Design Award for Excellence 2003
                New York Council, Society of American Registered Architects

                Design Award for Excellence 2003
                National Council, Society of American Registered Architects

     Solution
              Joseph Stella ingeniously configured the new structure within the limitations
              of the applicable constraints. To the right at floor one, the entry courtyard
              does not count as floor area, to the right at floor two, he created an un-fenestrated
              open air terrace, which does not count as floor area, and floor three qualified
              as an attic which also does not count as floor area.

     Program
               The clients wanted to convert the former stable to a private residence. The
               New York City Zoning Resolution did not permit any additional square footage
               to be added, while the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission
               desired a structure consistent with the character of the nineteenth mews.