Coming from award-winning, interdisciplinary design studio MODU, Mini Tower One is a nature-infused multi-family renovation and rear addition in Brooklyn, NY, that rethinks indoor-outdoor living while adding 30% more area to the building. The project’s clever design has led to urban planning research that would allow for increased density in existing NYC housing, making additions accessible to longtime owners while addressing issues in neighbourhoods undergoing rapid gentrification.
Recipient of the prestigious 2024 AIANY Design Award, the Mini Tower One is a testament to MODU's commitment to enhancing unit functionality and creating unique moments that connect residents to urban nature. This project extends the functionality of each unit by providing modular design elements within flexible spaces for various activities. Each floor of the building is enlarged, adding areas for living and entertaining. Some spaces can be both indoor and outdoor, such as the indoor terrace and the all-season room, which can be enclosed to allow residents to watch the seasons pass with views of spring rains or winter snowfalls.
Framed by a 50-ft birch tree, the project balances passive house principles – such as super-insulated facades and an energy recovery ventilator – with innovative solutions such as radiant outdoor heating on the terrace, an all-weather room, and an air-curtain that opens to the outdoor while maintaining interior environments. These features include a planted home during peak heating and cooling months and an indoor-outdoor oasis where residents can embrace temperate weather, requiring just 12% more energy, which is more than offset by rooftop solar panels.
The rooftop garden, a hallmark of MODU’s design philosophy, offers a serene escape with panoramic views from the Brooklyn skyline. More than just a visual delight, it serves as a communal area where residents can relax, socialize, and engage in urban gardening, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
The Mini Towers research undertaken by MODU identifies approximately 1,000 additional sites for multi-family additions in New York. This community-focused development strategy maximizes available FAR without requiring complete demolition, making additions accessible to longtime owners while addressing issues in the neighbourhoods undergoing rapid gentrification. Further, Mini Towers projects are particularly suitable for properties with limited zoning height, insufficient existing structures, or unstable soil conditions.
