Aperture 538 is a 10 unit multi-family residence located in the neighborhood of Clinton Hill, Brooklyn on Washington Avenue near Fulton Street.
© Tai Zhang
Central to the exterior is a copper screen, finished to a corten appearance, perforated with an abstracted image of the Brooklyn Bridge and modified for light and air requirements.
© Halstead Property Development
The flat, warm brown face of the building is meant to continue the rhythm of brownstones present on Washington Avenue. Unlike the brownstones however, this face moves – shutters in front of windows and balconies can be opened to allow residents direct views out to the tree-lines street.
© Tai Zhang
A code limitation of 10” projection determined the module of the copper panels comprising the façade. The bi-fold shutters are comprised of 1/8” copper on a steel substructure. They pivot and slide along trolleys to open.
© Tai Zhang
The result is a dynamic façade where light filters through, an iconic image of Brooklyn is glimpsed, and activity is visible. The remainder of the exterior takes a background role with brown framed windows sliding along the grid of black structurally insulated panels.
© Halstead Property Development
At the rear of the building, railings are black to match the building’s paneling but are perforated to match the front’s copper screen.
© Tai Zhang
Kitchens use a palette of cervaiole, white lacquer, glass, and mystery oak Shinnoki with glassos. Bathrooms have greater variety in material identity and configuration.
© Halstead Property Development
The ground floor duplex and fifth floor penthouse have bold striato tiled Master Bathrooms.Other Master Bathrooms are tiled in carrara and bamboo carrara, ‘bamboo’ referring to its undulating texture. Guest Bathrooms throughout enjoy a neutral warm palette of white glassos and Bamboo Crema d’Orcia.
© Halstead Property Development
From the shutters to the bathroom walls, tactility, identity, and warmth permeate the design for the Clinton Hill Residences.
Project Info
Architects: Luca Andrisani Architect
Country: United States, Brooklyn
Area: 13090 ft²
Year: 2016
Photographs: Tai Zhang, Halstead Property Development
Manufacturers GKD Metal Fabrics, Hansgrohe, Acor, Benjamin Moore, Bison, Bosch, CCS Stones, GKD-USA, Liebherr, Maax, Sirius, Stone Source, Toto, Valspar: GKD Metal Fabrics
Developer: Sam Boymelgreen
Façade Consultant: Axis Facades
Marketing And Sales: The Aguayo Team at Halstead Property Development
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.