On a beautiful site in Esopus, NY, this addition enlarges a small house into a full size home for a family. The goal was to take advantage of views and outdoor space while allowing the interior to have a comfortable floor plan.

The owners and architect worked together to design a context specific and considered addition that would follow the distinct cant of the rear lot line setback, highlight the views from their elevated vantage point, and maintain the intimate connection to the surrounding woods—an expansive nature preserve so close to the house you feel as if you’re camping. These simple constraints presented an opportunity to form a modern, split volume design in which no two spaces are quite the same, yet all flow together naturally.

Location: Esopus, NY
Project Completed: 2022
Scope: Addition
Architect: Blejer Architects
Structural Engineer: Murray Engineering
Project Team: Justin Blejer, Epitome Simms
Photography: Man Photography

This project celebrates the unique design of the existing mid-century modernist house by reimagining the kitchen as a contemporary space. The new location of the kitchen within the house allows the owners to cook and entertain while enjoying new views of the Hudson River whether home alone or hosting a party. The arrangement of the cabinetry aligns with the existing clerestory window and slips into the dining room, creating a subtle flow between the disparate rooms.

The island reads as a piece of furniture, providing ample drawers on one side and a bar on the other. Finishes keep to a minimal palette of ash veneer, matte black and white laminate, and blackened or nickel plated metal, balancing warmth and texture with contemporary crispness. Light is provided in various modes, with spots washing the tile backsplash, a handmade steel pendant over the island, and an asymmetrical light that washes the sloped ceiling. The success of this project is in the owners’ enjoyment of the design in their daily use and when hosting guests.

Location: South Nyack. NY
Project Completed: 2019
Scope: Renovation
Architect: Blejer Architecture
Contractor: Greenbush Construction
Photography: Amanda Kirkpatrick

On the boards: the site of this house is located on a beautiful property looking towards the Catskill Mountains. The client requested the house be elevated to better enjoy the views over the tree line while integrating into the natural setting of the site in here in the Hudson Valley.

Location: Kerhonkson, NY
Antipated Project Completion: 2027
Scope: New Construction
Architect: Blejer Architecture
Structural Engineer: TBD
Project Team: Justin Blejer, Epitome Simms

Our clients approached us to design a new build home on their beautiful, creek-front property with views of the Catskill Mountains. The goal was to design and build a modest sized house that integrated with the natural forest surroundings to be enjoyed on the weekends initially and full time eventually.

The house has asymmetric roof shapes that create dynamic interiors, with a higher ceiling in the large living area, cozy bedrooms, and a covered entry patio that frames the views of the mountains. The use of low maintenance, long lasting materials like the shou suhi ban siding coupled with an an efficient floor plan reduce the home’s environmental impact.

Location: Catskill, NY
Expected Completed: 2026
Scope: New Construction
Architect: Blejer Architecture
Structural Engineer: Murray Engineering
Project Team: Justin Blejer, Epitome Simms, Ciana Frenze, Ayaka Hales

Long House sits atop a sloping, wooded site near High Falls, NY. Its single story plan revolves around the generous living space with floor to ceiling windows throughout highlighting the views and wooded site. The simple single volume is articulated with subtle setbacks to create a front entry patio and a rear deck, while subtle facade details divide the long faces of the building into three distinct portions. The design adheres to modernist principles of rhythm and order to create a consistent, minimalist architecture while remaining a warm and inviting space for functional living.

Location: High Falls, NY
Project Status: In Construction
Scope: New Construction
Architect: Blejer Architecture
Structural Engineer: Murray Engineering
Mechanical Engineer: Collectif Engineering
Project Team: Justin Blejer, Epitome Simms, Greg Goldstone, Ayaka Hales
Contractor: Heitmann Builders

Our design for this project focused on making minor changes to the overall layout that would have the largest positive effect. We used a warm material palette of oak and terrazzo set against bright white and subtle green. The architectural lighting modernizes the feel and function of their new home.

Modifications to the plan included opening the kitchen to the living room, enlarging the primary bathroom and increasing storage.

Location: Upper East Side, Manhattan, NY
Project Status: Completed
Scope: Renovation
Architect: Blejer Architecture
Contractor: Modern Construction
Project Team: Justin Blejer, Epitome Simms
Photography: Max Burkhalter

In the woods in New Paltz, NY, this is a special project for us. The 1,800 sf house takes advantage of its site with large windows creating a strong connection to the nature outside.

This is project is in progress with construction slated for later this year.

Location: New Paltz, NY
Project Status: Construction Start TBD
Scope: New Construction
Architect: Blejer Architecture
Project Team: Justin Blejer, Epitome Simms

Justin Blejer worked on this beach front house as Project Architect while working at Robert Young Architects. The project uses strong clean geometry to update and modernize a 1980’s house.

Location: Montauk, NY
Project Completed: 2015
Scope: Renovation
Architect: Robert Young Architects
Landscape Architect: LaGuardia Design Group
Structural Engineer: Silman
Contractor: Men At Work Construction

Designed with a focus on serenity and escape, this home strikes a harmonious balance of the architectural environment and its natural context. The nearly square volume with a central courtyard perches on a partial pier foundation on a gently sloping side, nestling into the surrounding forest. Outward facing views look deep into the forest beyond, while the ever-present courtyard offers an intimate, curated scene. The natural wood siding complements the site and will age and weather over time, further blending the house with its site. Expansive glass walls flood the interior with natural light and frame views of the ever changing landscape.

Location: High Falls, NY
Scope: New Construction
Architect: Blejer Architecture
Project Team: Justin Blejer, Epitome Simms, Greg Goldstone

Justin Blejer worked on these beach houses as Project Architect while working at Robert Young Architects. The project includes two houses on a unique lake front site in Montauk, NY which takes advantages of the site for views and creating a central yard/pool area for both houses to use.

The houses are passive house designed and use a minimal language and material palette to create a warm yet modern feel.

Location: Montauk. NY
Project Completed: 2016
Scope: New Construction
Architect: Robert Young Architects
Landscape Architect: LaGuardia Design Group
Contractor: Men At Work Construction
Photography: Michael Moran (c)

RECOGNITION 
Architectural Record
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Interior Design, Best of Year Finalist 2017 

Justin Blejer worked on this pool and pool house as Project Architect while working at Robert Young Architects. The principle challenge of this project was to create a large sense of space with a limited area of interior space. By breaking the poorhouse into two rooms with a spanning roof the project gained a large outdoor living room. We combined familiar materials with a carefully considered minimalist aesthetic.

Location: East Hampton. NY
Project Completed: 2016
Scope: New Construction
Architect: Robert Young Architects
Landscape Architect: LaGuardia Design Group
Structural Engineer: John Condon Engineering PC
Contractor: Fountainhead Construction
Photography: Frank Oudeman (c)

RECOGNITION

ArchDaily
The Long Island Chapter of the AIA 2017 Archi Award Commendation 

This cabin is for a young coupe with an growing apple orchard below a maple forest. Located on a hillside pasture in Delaware County, NY, this project is all about the site. Overlooking the valley to the south, and hiking on the hill, this property is full of beautiful sunlight, views and space. The house itself is modest yet there are three bedrooms and two bathrooms and spacious living area.

This is project is in progress with construction slated for next year.

Location: Hamden, NY
Project Status: On Hold
Scope: New Construction
Architect: Blejer Architecture
Project Team: Justin Blejer, Epitome Simms

Blejer Architecture collaborated on this beautiful design by Beth Wells Architecture for a lake front house in CT. The house has a strong yet simple form with the entrance through a cutout on the side, framing a view of the lake. In addition to collaborating on the design, Blejer Architecture provided design and construction documents for the project.

Location: Lakeville, CT
Project Completed: 2020
Scope: New Construction
Architect: Beth Wells Architecture
Contractor: Rick McCue

This beautiful historic townhouse in Carroll Gardens was restored and transformed into a sunlight filled home for a young family. Blejer Architecture worked alongside Studio8 Architect fully updating the building from structure to interiors. the design adds a rear garden deck, a new central stair filled with light from skylights and large windows throughout.

The challenge of this project was creating new floor plans with a new single stair converting three separate apartments into one cohesive home all while keeping the bakery on the ground floor in full operation.

Location: Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn
Project Completion: 2025
Scope: Renovation
Architect: Blejer Architecture
Interior Architect: Studio8 Architect
Structral Engineer: Silman
Mechanical Engineer: ANZ
Project Team: Justin Blejer, Ayaka Hales, Ciana Frenze
Photography: Nick Glimenakis

This project focused on the conversion of a garage in Hudson, NY into a guesthouse. The second floor includes a studio apartment with the kitchen at one end. The design balances the warmth of wood with clean modern laminate cabinetry and details.

In a beautiful Upstate setting in Bethel, NY, Spring House harmonizes modern design with the natural landscape. Focusing on a pond and set on a hill, the house will be a beautiful experience all year long. Blejer Architecture is working in collaboration with Bilt Modern Catskills. See more at biltmodern.com.

Location: Bethel, NY
Project Status: In Construction
Scope: New Construction
Architect: Blejer Architecure
Structural Engineer: Murray Engineering
Contractor: Burnt Ridge Inc.
Project Team: Justin Blejer, Epitome Simms

In historic SoHo, NYC this penthouse triplex apartment is being fully renovated. Blejer Architecture is excited to collaborate with Soren Rose Studio and Robert Young Architects for design and execution of this project.

Location: SoHo, NYC
Project Completion: 2024
Scope: Renovation
Architect: Robert Young Architects
Designer: Soren Rose Studio
Project Team: Justin Blejer, Epitome Simms, Ayaka Hales

Gardiner Outdoor Living Room

In Gardiner, NY at the foot of the Gunks, the design adds a series of outdoor spaces including a screened in porch, covered deck, a wood hot tub.

This is project is in progress with construction slated for next year.

Location: Gardiner, NY
Project Status: Construction Start 2022
Scope: New Construction
Architect: Blejer Architects

Currently in design, an existing garage is being transformed into a modern guesthouse. The proposal abandons the gambrel roof for a more angled ridge that provides more usable headroom and unique shape that compliments the setting.

Location: Woodstock, NY
Project Status: In Design
Scope: Renovation
Architect: Blejer Architects
Project Team: Justin Blejer, Epitome Simms

This project was a complete gut renovation of a three story townhouse from the 80s. We designed a rear wall of glass to bring the backyard and south facing light into the open kitchen/living area. The material pallet uses white and black with warm oak floors.

Location: Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Project Completed: 2016
Scope: Gut Renovation

A conceptual project, after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, this house design establishes a relationship with infrastructure that steals and supports. The house is a prototype for the neighborhood such that as more houses are built the levee is buttressed and made stronger. The houses are elevated so that they are protected from future floods. 

This new space for Dirty Lemon is a unique idea for a vending room. There is only a refrigerator and a screen with instructions on how to pay - via text message. Using a full height mirror and tiled stripes the space is made to feel much larger and dramatic.

Location: Tribeca, NY
Project Completed: 2018
Scope: Renovation
Architect: Blejer Architecture in collaboration with Alex Hirsch