Dean Street Brooklyn Townhouse : From Sketch to Street with Brad Li

Dean Street Brooklyn Townhouse: From Sketch to Street with Brad Li

Anyone who knows the streets of brownstone Brooklyn will be astonished to discover a standout contemporary townhome on Dean Street, the brainchild of Brad Li (Li and Design Associates) and Ted Kane (Kane Aud Architects). A fresh breath of air integrated into the cozy streets of a historic district, the project is the culmination of innovative design and three years of tenacious execution. Despite the far-reaching efforts by the collaborating teams, the home presents itself with immense ease, pristine sophistication, and modern clarity.

Set on a narrow 17’-6” wide lot in Brooklyn, the Dean Street Townhouse replaces a deteriorating wood-frame structure with a four-story and cellar modern residence. Designed with Passive House principles, the project demonstrates how thoughtful design and high-performance construction can unlock livability, comfort, and sustainability, even on the most constrained urban sites. The residence features a ground-floor in-law suite and a primary unit spanning the upper three floors, with extensive access to outdoor space including a sunken garden, rear decks, and dual roof terraces.

Brad Li, founder of LADS (Li and Design Associates), is originally from China and holds a Master of Architecture from Pratt Institute. He has worked across architectural firms in Shanghai, Beijing, and New York, with experience spanning hospitality, residential, and mixed-use developments. On this townhouse, he led the design in collaboration with Ted Kane of Kane Aud Architects, and it’s been over three years in the making.

In discussing the design intent and concept, Brad explained the guiding vision for the townhouse: “I aimed to create a modern Brooklyn townhouse that maximizes livability on a small footprint. The design took full advantage of NYC zoning codes to push the envelope on what a narrow lot can accommodate. The result is a four-bedroom residence tailored for post-COVID living, with dedicated spaces for guests, work, and outdoor enjoyment.” Brad emphasized that his primary design goal, given the 17’-6” site width, was to maximize usable space without sacrificing comfort or light. Every square foot had to work hard, which led to careful zoning of the program, smart vertical circulation, and integrated outdoor spaces.

As someone who grew up nearby, I had to ask how his connection to the neighborhood shaped the design ranging from materials to overall aesthetic. “We embraced a duality,” he said. “The rear uses locally made clay bricks, grounding it in Brooklyn’s material tradition. The front is decidedly modern and is defined by a clean rainscreen system and a reimagined bay window that opens views and light without sacrificing zoning compliance. The home’s envelope was designed to exceed energy code requirements, aligning with both contemporary aesthetics and sustainability goals.”

“Why a two-family residence, and how did you address privacy between the units?” I asked. Brad emphasized that affordability was a major factor. With Brooklyn real estate prices as they are, he wanted to create a home that also offered income-generating potential. Each unit has its own private entry and dedicated outdoor space, whether it’s the sunken garden for the in-law suite or the upper decks for the main residence. They coexist independently yet harmoniously.

One immediately respects Brad for his honesty and sincerity as a designer. Valuing both intense creative vision and modern sustainable practice, while also acknowledging financial realities, Brad does not pretend to be above the less glamorous parts of the work. He is deeply realistic in his approach to modern living. Like a fashion designer conceiving the archetype they’re dressing for, Brad designs for the life of the person who will one day occupy his spaces. He is interested in family life and has made sure to integrate study spaces, plenty of greenery, and outdoor areas to provide a landscape for children to grow and thrive in a grinding city.

He knows that while the home is set to embody the ultimate sophistication of urban living, it also includes practical accommodations—guest rooms for extended family, and a downstairs unit to help a family afford their dream home. With a dramatic staircase, ample space, and slick finishes, the house doesn’t strive to be relatable to the average New Yorker’s square footage, but also avoids formulaic, uninspired high-end design. It’s an oasis with an intensely unique flavor that makes no effort to hide its ambition, taste, or vision for the future of urban and eco-conscious planning.

Further on the integration of spatial and ecological strategy, Brad ensured spatial openness and daylight access within a narrow building. A key move was introducing a generous open staircase topped by a skylight. It pulls natural light from the roof down to the lower floors, avoiding the common problem of dark interiors in long townhouses.

Having grown up with constant renovations in my own home and surrounded by scaffolded structures, I was particularly curious about the construction challenges of working on such a tight urban site. When I asked how he approached preserving outdoor space, a valued aspect of Brooklyn living, on such a constrained lot, he remained sincere and laughed. He admitted, “We fought hard for it. Excavation was especially complex. We dug a full cellar below the ground floor to accommodate the lower unit. Managing logistics, neighbors, budget, and design changes over three years was incredibly demanding. But we were committed to seeing the vision through.

A massive boulder had to be removed to create the sunken garden for the lower unit. For the main residence, floor-to-ceiling rear glazing opens onto a deck and private backyard. On top, two roof terraces extend usable living space and allow for gardening, taking full advantage of the south-facing façade.”

Behind his laughter, in his eyes, I could tell he had many more wild stories to tell about the staggering work this project encompassed. This townhouse has consumed his life for as long as he can remember. So I pressed him on what adaptations had to be made along the way. Even for someone as meticulous and talented as Li, his journey proves that even the best concepts, exact models, and prefabrication strategies must evolve with changing circumstances and the guidance of collaborators.

“In the beginning, previsualization was key. We worked through countless digital models and iterations. But things change. An example is the central staircase. Initially designed with contrasting wood paneling, we revised it to a minimalist all-white finish, emphasizing the original core principle of light and geometry based on the golden ratio.” He also mentioned another turning point : the front bay window. “Originally conceived as a concave form with handcrafted GFRC panels, we had to pivot due to cost. We flattened the geometry but retained the visual rhythm. As a code-compliant bay window, it allowed us to expand interior space without eating into FAR. It is an elegant zoning workaround.”

It’s clear that Li loves to explain his ideas visually. Sharing the design plans with me on his laptop, it felt like being pulled into a grown-up version of The Sims. He whisked through blueprints and previsualizations to answer my questions about specific rooms and choices, always offering simple, clear explanations. “Ted Kane, my architect, would better explain this,” he added from time to time.

Kane is known for using Passive House principles throughout his work. As a result, energy efficiency was a cornerstone of the project. They used mineral wool insulation behind a fiber cement rainscreen, Schüco high-efficiency windows, and a continuous air-sealing system. HRV ensures excellent indoor air quality year-round.

The front faces south, making it ideal for passive solar gain and rooftop gardening. The Dean Street Townhouse project shows what’s possible when constraints are treated as creative opportunities. It proves that urban lots, even narrow ones, can support high-quality, sustainable family housing. The contemporary structure serves as a prototype for infill development across NYC and beyond.

As we wrapped up the interview, I was struck by how much Li tries to downplay his achievements. He’s shy, but clearly proud, particularly of his collaboration with Kane. But before leaving the call, he faced my final question directly. “Looking back, what are you most proud of?” To this he answered, “The stair. It’s the spine of the house. It's functional, sculptural, and a conduit for light. But more broadly, I’m proud we delivered a complete prototype that redefines what a Brooklyn townhouse can be. From zoning analysis to design execution, this was a deeply ambitious project, and I’m proud to have brought it to life.”

And he should be. Brad Li will continue to stage the townhouse, collaborate with Kane on future projects, including in the Hudson Valley, and pursue several other commercial developments. More can be learned at LADS DESIGN and KANE AUD