Specht Harpman Architects had an award, mostly-vertical volume to work with but managed to turn each indentation and extrusion in the space into a dual-purpose design opportunity.

The bed lofts out over the living room below, while the bathroom and a series of storage spaces are tucks under the staircase, yet these moves make it all feel more dynamic rather than cramped.

Of course, if all else fails, it never hurts to have a top-floor rooftop deck to walk out onto in Manhattan, either.

The Arc House plays on the lot’s proximity to the airport by using industrial building techniques. The visually striking sloped roof resembles an airplane hangar and houses all of the home’s public areas.

The living, dining and kitchen areas are all snugly contained beneath the curved roof, making each area feel far roomier than one might expect from such an intimate space.

Air circulation was a particular concern in all parts of the home, so ample windows allow for both sunlight and air to permeate every room. The arc shape of the home and the materials used to create it all significantly cut down on the energy used, making it a beautifully eco-friendly abode.

Just beneath the kitchen and living areas, the lower level contains an office, home gym, sitting area, garage and private courtyard. The suspended staircase leading down to the lower level is one of the showcases of this impressive abode.

A long hallway connects the public area of the house to the bedrooms, which are in an adjacent flat-roofed structure. The architects used materials that would leave open the option to add on extra bedrooms if the couple so desires in the future. See it here.

Rather than revamp the floor plan, modify the walls or refit new windows, Sepka Architekti took an additive approach to this remodel, filling in blank spaces with a toolkit of functional living accessories that also shape space.

The result is a language of light wooden furniture, furnishings and fixtures that intentionally stand out against the bare backdrop provided, but unfold to accommodate the basic needs of the dwelling and create a secondary visual language in each zone.

In some places, the resulting pieces hide additional functionality – in others, they become planes that wrap overhead and inform the look and feel of the room.