Pods in a Box: Studio Vural's Green-Tinged Loft Renovation in a Historic New York Factory

Brooklyn-based architecture firm Studio Vural has completed a loft renovation inside a historic 1920s building on Barrow Street in New York's West Village. Originally a herring canning factory during the neighborhood's industrial port era, the building now houses a unique residential space. The project, described by the firm as a “pods in a box” concept, introduces a series of sculptural, pod-like volumes within the open industrial shell. A restrained palette of tonal green accents ties the intervention together, appearing across cabinetry, wall treatments, and built-in elements. The design preserves the loft's raw, factory-era character—exposed structure, high ceilings, and generous volume—while inserting distinct functional zones for living, sleeping, and working. The pods function as discrete architectural objects inside the larger room, allowing for privacy and program separation. This renovation exemplifies a thoughtful balance between preserving historic character and introducing modern functionality, with a cohesive yet subtle green contrast against brick, timber, and concrete surfaces.