Dezeen Magazine

Irregularly stacked cubes form exterior of ODA apartment building in Dumbo

Architecture firm ODA has completed a residential building in Brooklyn with a facade formed of irregularly stacked boxes made of concrete and glass.

Called 98 Front, the condominium building occupies a corner lot in Dumbo, a waterfront neighbourhood that has seen a flurry of new development in recent decades.

98 Front by ODA has a glass and concrete facade
Front 98 has a concrete and glass facade

Designed by New York-based ODA, the project is intended to combine "sophisticated, innovative architecture with superior craftsmanship".

Roughly rectangle in plan, the building rises 10 levels and totals 189,000 square feet (17,559 square metres).

Lobby of 98 Front by ODA
The lobby features a mirrored reception desk

Made of concrete and glass, the building's exterior consists of irregularly placed cubic volumes that recall a game of Jenga. The projecting blocks create numerous overhangs and terraces.

"There is a simplicity in 98 Front Street's design in the materiality and process that accentuates the building's jewel-box facade," said ODA founder Eran Chen.

Pool of 98 Front
Residents have access to a saltwater pool

The building contains 165 apartments, ranging from studios to four-bedroom units. Large windows, white oak floors and concrete ceilings are among the interior elements. Many apartments also come with balconies.

Units are designed to be highly adaptable. Numerous layouts are available, with floor areas starting at 400 square feet and exceeding 2,000 square feet (37 square to 186 square metres).

Lobby and gym of 98 Front by ODA
The building has a communal gym and common area

In some instances, a bedroom has been converted into an office to make the units more suitable for the coronavirus era, the team said.

"We played with the geometry and layouts to create open floor plans that allow for flexible programming for living, working and entertaining at home," said Chen.

Home office of 98 Front by ODA
ODA turned apartment bedrooms into home offices

Residents also have access to a rooftop terrace with sweeping views of the city. The open-air space offers barbecue stations, three outdoor kitchens, fitness equipment and a screening area.

Within the building, amenities include coworking space, a gym, a saltwater pool, and a spa. Residents also have access to on-site parking and bike storage.

Rooftop terrace of 98 Front
The rooftop terrace has views over Dumbo

For public areas, the team used a mix of finishes and decor.

In the lobby, one finds a mirror-clad reception desk, concrete flooring and walls wrapped in honey-toned wood. In a lounge area, the team incorporated comfy chairs and live-edge wooden tables.

Facade of 98 Front in Dumbo
Many of the apartments have balconies

98 Front is among a number of New York residential projects by ODA, which was founded in 2007.

Others include a massive apartment building in Bushwick that features colourful window frames and cascading balconies and a top-heavy residential building in Manhattan that cantilevers over adjacent structures.

Photography is by Aaron Thompson.

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