Dezeen Magazine

Nine Chapel in Brooklyn

SO-IL completes perforated-metal facade of residential tower in Brooklyn

Local architecture studio SO-IL has completed the exteriors of a residential building in Brooklyn with a wavy, perforated-metal facade.

Located in Downtown Brooklyn, Nine Chapel will host 27 one to four-bedroom apartments across its various volumes, which are stacked together and reach 14 storeys high at the tallest point.

Building of several volumes in Brooklyn
SO-IL has completed the facade of a residential building in Downtown Brooklyn

Developed by Tankhouse, the building consists of several rectangular volumes of varying heights clustered together and clad in various textures, most notably an undulating, semi-transparent metal.

The material absorbs light while also providing privacy between the building's outdoor terraces, which wrap almost entirely around the exterior and are included for each unit.

Stacked building in Brooklyn
Its perforated metal skin absorbs light while providing privacy

Tankhouse, which collaborated on the building's design with SO-IL, said it would like to establish a new architectural landmark for the neighbourhood upon releasing renders of the design last year.

Its volumes are oriented in different directions to provide at least two exposed facades for each unit, further achieved by keeping them no more than two windows wide.

Transparent facade Brooklyn
Outdoor patios surround the building's exterior

Cut-outs of various sizes in the facade cover windows, or deeply set patios.

A model apartment by Denmark-based design company Gubi was also recently completed in the building, where a neutral palette was used to create "warmth and intimacy" and complement white oak flooring and a large kitchen island.

Pieces such as the matching Pacha sofa and lounge chairs were placed on the interior and the outdoor patio to emphasize the building's indoor-outdoor living scheme.

"Nine Chapel is designed to allow residents to interact with nature daily and live in more sustainability-oriented homes," said the team.

Photo is by Jonathan Hokko
A model apartment by Gubi was also recently completed in the building. Photo is by Jonathan Hokklo

Residents will move into the building later this summer, according to the team.

Other project in progress by SO-IL include the conversion of a Detroit warehouse into a multi-purpose art space and an art museum in the Berkshires with a cross-laminated timber roof.

The photography is by Valeria Flores unless otherwise stated. 

More images

Building of several volumes in Brooklyn
Building of several volumes in Brooklyn
Nine Chapel in Brooklyn
Building in Brooklyn of stacked volumes
Wavy metal facade in brooklyn
Metal facade brooklyn
Wavy metal facade
Courtyard windows
Wavy perforated metallic facade
Facade of wavy metal
A puffy outdoor chair
Photo is by Jonathan Hokko
A puffy outdoor chair
Photo is by Jonathan Hokko
Kitchen with wooden island
Photo is by Jonathan Hokklo
Kitchen with wooden island
Photo is by Jonathan Hokklo
Beige interior
Photo is by Jonathan Hokklo
White chairs
Photo is by Jonathan Hokklo
Bed in with sliding glass doors
Photo is by Jonathan Hokklo
A blue shower
Photo is by Jonathan Hokklo
Windows looking into interiors
Photo is by Jonathan Hokklo
Interiors with beige furniture
Photo is by Jonathan Hokklo