Caoba Doors and BKSK LLP

Setting new standards for excellence and quality in landmark restorations.

Caoba’s capability to reproduce products for landmark structures is a preferred specialty. Our work with BKSK in Carnegie Hill NY exemplifies what Design Dictated Manufacturing® means to us. As a nationally recognized Historical Reproduction specialist and a professional member of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Arts, we take great pride in meeting the needs of any architects' vision.

Our ability to authentically replicate historical styles meets the high standards of NY's Landmarks Preservation Comission (LPC). This institution is the largest municipal preservation agency in the nation. It is responsible for protecting New York City's architecturally, historically, and culturally significant buildings and sites by granting them landmark or historic district status, and regulating them once they're designated. It is thanks to the LPC that we are able to supply our products in NYC.

Our collaboration with BKSK had such an overwhelming impact in the community that the project we present to you was awarded the Carnegie Hill Enrichment Award in 2014. The award recognizes the unifying and classic renovation and adaptation to residential use of the buildings involved in the project.

Caoba Doors and Landmark Restorations

Caoba Doors' ability to restore historic buildings and its expertise at replicating historic styles highly depends on the survival of traditional craft skills and knowledge using age-old materials unified with the precision of our modern technologies. Rather than imposing modernity upon the landmark restorations, we work to bring out the historic character of a place.

From the choice of components, to the detail of their fittings and finishes, we seek to draw out the beauty of historic structures rather than simply to reorder for modern convenience.

Every landmark structure, whether it is an individual landmark or a building in a historic district, is protected under the Landmarks Law and subject to review procedures. Caoba Doors has consistently obtained approval of the LPC to install our products on several Landmark Restorations like the building above located in San Francisco and the beautiful Beekman Building from 1802 in lower Manhattan. Let us be your choice for any Landmark restoration project you have.

Meet the Project:

4-8 East 94th Street, Carnegie Hill, NY.

The project located in Carnegie Hill comprises the horizontal and vertical expansion of two existing buildings at 4-8 East 94th Street in the Upper East Side Historic District. The eastern building (8 E. 94th St) was a single-family residence. The western building (4 E. 94th St) was built as a seven-story office building, significantly taller than what is allowable by current zoning. Its first floor was built full to the rear lot line. The purpose of this reversion to residential use of the building was the creation of a uniform looking mansion-like building.

The evocation of a grand, mansard-roofed mansion as an expansion of the existing structure was key to the project’s success. This addition is intended to continue the architectural language of building no. 8, but with a subtle differentiation. The cast stone pilasters are doubled where the old and new segments of the building meet. The addition is faced with slightly lighter brick, and the dormer roofs are triangular rather than curved.

For the completion of this building Caoba Doors supplied BKSK with historically accurate replications of the trademark style windows and doors of NY's architecture of the early 20's and 30's.

For this project we supplied the following types of Windows:

Bent units – Multiple double hung windows mulled with concealed balances system
Single double hung windows with weights and chains system
Fixed windows
Single casement window

As well as the following types of doors:

Single and double swing armored doors with wood panels
Vista view doors with multipoint lock
Single and double swing doors with multipoint lock
Sidelites
Lift & Slide Bi-parting doors

Meet the Firm:

BKSK are specialists in socially-engaged, contextually-appropriate and environmentally-conscious design. BKSK is well aware of its important role in the civic realm, not only as architects, but as advocates for the building initiative.

Great design has meaning and consequence. What BKSK builds and designs, how they build it, and how it comes to be used matters. BKSK makes for an ideal partner of Caoba Doors as they do not have a singular signature architectural style, nor do they approach a project with a pre-determined agenda. This type of initiative goes hand in hand with our Design Dictated Manufacturing philosophy.

Meet the Architect:

Stephen Byrns - AIA, LEED AP

Stehphen is a lifelong student of architectural history and actively seeks to understand how both contemporary and traditional buildings come to be, how people use them, and the effects that they have socially and ecologically.

Stephen’s most emblematic projects are those that weave together the uniqueness of residents, local histories, and physical settings in order to celebrate context. These include the here featured townhouse in Carnegie Hill, winner of a Neighborhood Enrichment Award.

"I Wanted the building to look as if it had been a
50-foot wide, six-story home built in the 1930s"

The project we present here is only one example of the wide range of products we offer and our ability to meet any design expectations you should have. Only the highest quality raw materials and components are carefully selected and we manufacture them with state of the art machinery and old-world craftsmanship. Find out how we can help you Realize Your Vision!

All Sizes – All Shapes – All Wood Species – All Hardware Options – All Glazing Options – All Finishes

Caoba Doors is certified by Rainforest Alliance against the FSC™ Standards and is a professional member of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Arts