David Chipperfield Architects has shared images of its redesign of a Beaux-Arts townhouse in New York City that will serve as the headquarters of non-profit organisation 1014, which aims to promote cooperation between Germany and the United States.

The new institution is named after the townhouse's address, 1014 5th Avenue, in Manhattan's Upper East Side neighbourhood.

Now sandwiched between two much larger structures, the elaborate six-storey house was built in 1906 and sits across from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

It originally belonged to James W Gerard, who served as the US Ambassador to Germany from 1913 to 1917.

According to David Chipperfield Architects, the building was acquired by the German government in the 1950s and used as an outpost of the Goethe-Institut for several decades.

The redesign of the building aims to create more public spaces, as well as accommodating living spaces for a residency supported by 1014.

"The townhouse will be sensitively extended, renovated and reconfigured to incorporate both a public and residential component, while retaining and reinforcing its domestic qualities in both the original fabric and new-build components," said David Chipperfield Architects.

"The three lower levels will house an inclusive public programme with spaces for a variety of events; exhibitions, performances, film screenings, discussions and talks," said the architects.

"The residential component will occupy the upper three levels and will provide rooms for scholars to stay, as well as the administrative areas for 1014."

The existing building's narrow width and relatively low height create a challenge to bring natural light into the spaces.

David Chipperfield Architects' design remediates this by creating a large glazed winter garden in the centre of the home.

This green space will be visible from inside through full-height glass walls, illuminating parts of the building that may not otherwise receive any sunlight.

The same principle is applied to a communal area on the third floor, which would be shared by the residents and public alike.

"The public and private spaces will overlap in a new double-height common room with a winter garden and a balcony overlooking the courtyard," the architects explained.

As part of the renovation, the building's courtyard will also be opened to the public.

Because the building's facade is landmarked, the intervention focuses on the interiors, the rear facade, and the courtyard.

"Consistent with ideas of reuse and continuity, the new elements are respectful and coherent with the building’s existing fabric," said the architects.

David Chipperfield's firm has completed a variety of projects in New York City. They include The Bryant, a 32-storey tower containing private residences and a hotel, and an apartment building at 11-19 Jane Street.

The British architect has also worked on the Valentino flagship store on Fifth Avenue, and designed a staircase for the Casa Perfect gallery in the West Village.

The images are courtesy of Sebastian Kaempf of KARO Architects, Nata Archviz and David Chipperfield Architects.

Project credits:

Client: The Federal Republic of Germany represented by the Bundesbau Baden-Württemberg
User: 1014
Architect: David Chipperfield Architects London
Partners: Benito Blanco, David Chipperfield, Billy Prendergast
Project director: Matt Ball
Project architect: Harriet Bartlett
Team: Giulia Amodio, Sabrah Islam
Competition team: Matt Ball, Jian Yong Khoo, Rachelle Spiteri
Executive architect: Karo Architects
Project director: Paratus Group
Landscape architect: Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates
Structural engineer: Silman
Services engineer: Kohler Ronan
Civil engineer: AKRF
Sustainability: Transsolar
Elevator consultant: LerchBates
Quantity surveyor: Directional Logic
Images: Nata Archviz