After
raising five children together in a large two-story home in Squirrel Hill,
Stacy Weiss and Will Carpenter began looking for a loft to build their empty
nest. They wanted something that had character, lots of natural light, and high
ceilings. After an arduous search throughout the city, they found the perfect
spot in Shadyside that was being used as an artist’s studio. With Stacy’s
skills as owner and buyer for Weisshouse and Will's as a General Contractor
[Carpenter Construction] they thought we could create something really special in
this space.
The
original structure was built in 1923 for use as a mechanic’s garage, complete
with a ramp to get the cars from the back alley down to the concrete shop
floor. It was the only commercial
building in a residential area. In the ‘60s the building was used as a tile showroom.
Some of the tile displays were applied right onto the old shop floor -- a
detail that still remains as the floor of our den. The building fell into the
ownership of the artist Jerry Kaplan in the 1970s. Jerry and other artists
continued to use the space as a studio/living space until they bought it in 2013.
In
coming up with our design approach, Stacy and Will wanted to reflect some of the previous
uses of the structure. We loved the original wood and steel ceiling, including
steel beams forged at the Carnegie Steel Works. They also kept the clear story
and skylights the artists added to bring a lot of extra light into the space. Keeping
elements from the past not only interested them aesthetically, it also worked
with their strong held dedication to environmentally sensitive construction. It
was important to them to reuse structures and objects in ways that are close to
their originally intended use.
After
Stacy designed the initial layout of the space, they had their friend and architect
Stuart Horne work out the details of the plan and put together scale drawings
from which we could work. They punched three large openings at the back of the
house that now showcase steel and glass doors that reference the types of
windows that would have been in the original commercial building. They used
insulated glass so we could maintain better R-values for a more energy
efficient space.
They carried this look into the master bath, incorporating a shower enclosure that
echoed the framework of the windows and doors. The wall behind the vanities
flaunts beautiful stone slab that Stacy found.
Dividing
the Master Suite from the living area are an amazing pair of Antique English
doors the two found at auction. After removing several layers of old paint, they joined them together to make one massive door mounted with barn door hardware
and a track crafted by a local steel fabricator. The door slides completely out
of the way to reveal a large passageway that works well with the open loft
feel. A wall of cabinetry provides hidden storage adding to the airiness of the
space. The headboard stands as the centerpiece of the room, a prop from the
movie Intolerable Cruelty. 
In
the kitchen they used clean and simple cabinetry from the Italian line Poliform.
Poliform has been a backbone of Weisshouse’s kitchen designs not only because
of the exquisite lines, but also because of the company’s dedication to social
accountability and environmentally ethical manufacturing. The kitchen island is
made up of Poliform cabinetry on one side and a salvaged apothecary unit of the
other, all covered by 2” thick Belgian bluestone tops.
They worked with a craftsman out of North Carolina for the floors, going back and
forth for months to ensure the coloring was exactly as we imagined. In the end,
we settled on a pre-oiled oak with an antique feel that recalled the industrial
history of the space. We used a chevron pattern in setting the boards to add a
modern touch and a bit of sophistication.
In
the guest bath, an antique butcher’s freezer serves as the vanity against a
graphic modern tile. An antique French enamel pendant ties together the color
story and adds to the grittiness of the vanity. By repurposing
antiques and found objects, Stacy and Will lessen their carbon footprint and minimize their individual effect on the environment,
Keeping roots in the city, they had to work with what we were given as far as outdoor
space. Taking inspiration for the patio from beautiful back basalt Stacy found
from the state of Washington. Landscape Architect Joel LaGull helped to layout
the patio and the greenery. Retaining walls were crafted from concrete with a
black granite aggregate to match the basalt. Along the edges of the property we
used Black Bamboo and large Arborvitaes to enclose the space and give us
privacy, creating an urban oasis in the heart of Shadyside. 
The
best designs need the best craftsmanship. They assembled a team led by Bob Dean
that consisted of Carpenter Construction carpenters and laborers and many of
the fine sub-contractors Will has met over the years. Their team was able to make
their vision a reality, creating a vibrant living space that incorporates the
building’s history.
When
construction was complete they used the space as a blank canvas for their art and
furnishings. Exploring the new home you will find a rich collection of new,
vintage, and repurposed pieces. Much as you will find at Weisshouse, the
dichotomy between old and new is the heart of Stacy and Will's design aesthetic. From
antique lighting to a locally made steel dining table, all of these elements
come together to create a museum of memories and homage to the space and Pittsburgh.
