In the heart of Providence’s historic jewelry district, WXY transformed a historic loft into an elegant, efficient live-work space for artist Jessica Helfand. The renovation preserves the loft’s character while optimizing light, sustainability, and comfort. A minimal palette and precise detailing balance openness and functionality, making the space feel inviting and adaptable.

With its vast scale and asymmetrical layout, the loft needed to remain open while introducing structure. It had to function as both a home and a professional art studio, providing flexibility without feeling fragmented. Sustainability was a priority, requiring advanced insulation and an all-electric infrastructure. The challenge was integrating these elements seamlessly while respecting the building’s historic integrity and ensuring the space remained practical for daily life and creative work.

WXY introduced a sequence of connected spaces, allowing openness and definition. The library serves as a transition, leading visitors through a carefully curated collection of books before opening into the dramatic main space. At the center of the floor plan, the art studio anchors the loft with movable partitions that adjust the light for Helfand’s painting practice.

A coffered ceiling in the living area adds texture and warmth, subtly defining gathering spaces without enclosing them. A restrained palette of grey and white provides a neutral backdrop for art, while structural upgrades keep the design clean and efficient. Concealed pipes, heating, and electrical systems support function and aesthetics, allowing the loft to remain uncluttered and flexible.

The design evolved through ongoing collaboration between Helfand and WXY, each decision shaped by practical and aesthetic needs. The placement of the studio, the proportions of the guest room, and the flow between spaces were refined through conversation and iteration, ensuring the loft remained adaptable and welcoming.

The renovated loft is both energy-efficient and designed for creative work. Though the unit isn’t insulated in the conventional sense, an air and vapor barrier—Blueskin—was applied to reduce air loss through the façade and into adjacent units.

This system, made in part from recycled rubber, helps lower energy consumption for heating and cooling. Paired with an all-electric infrastructure that supports a lower-carbon lifestyle, the design reflects a commitment to sustainability.

Combining material restraint, spatial clarity, and thoughtful systems, the space becomes both studio and home. More than a renovation, it demonstrates how design can honor a building’s history while adapting it for the future.