This contemporary loft is situated in the historic Hermann Lofts Building in downtown Houston, Texas, designed by local C O N T E N T Architecture. The seventh-floor, 1,275 square foot apartment features wall-to-wall windows throughout, flooding the home with light. This unit was renovated in 2011, with the design utilizing an internal core to liberate the unit’s generous 180 degree view of the city. The exposed brick and concrete ceilings of the nearly century-old building remained untouched, while the flow of the apartment was increased by separating the internal walls in the kitchen and bedroom from the rear of the apartment, adding a second walk-through space. The set-up of the kitchen was also reversed, moving the range to the island so that the owner, who is an avid cook, could appreciate the view and interact with guests in the living room as she cooked. In the bedroom, a large wardrobe was added to delineate the space, and the entrance to the master bathroom was shifted to make room for a larger closet area.

As the hallway transitions into the open loft space, a makeshift dining area includes a striped reclaimed-wood table by Houstonian Bob Card flanked by Arne Jacobsen chairs, a trio of framed lotus leaves and a modern light fixture by Pelle.

Dividing the public areas and the bedroom is a flex-space that accommodates both a home office and yoga area. Custom millwork throughout increases storage while providing a backdrop to the owner’s eclectic art, library, and furniture collection.

Photos: Peter Molick