Admiral's Row, located in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, was a historic row of 19th-century officers' homes built between 1864 and 1901 to house high-ranking naval personnel. These grand residences were emblematic of the Navy Yard's prominence during its peak as a vital hub of American shipbuilding and defense. However, with the Navy Yard's decommissioning in 1966, Admiral's Row fell into neglect, succumbing to decades of abandonment, structural decay, and overgrowth. The site became a symbol of urban blight, despite its historic significance and periodic efforts to preserve it. In 2016, most of the remaining buildings were demolished to make way for redevelopment, including a Wegmans supermarket and other commercial ventures, leaving behind only the timber shed and one house as relics of its storied past. The loss of Admiral's Row remains a poignant reminder of New York City's struggles to balance historic preservation with modern urban needs.

Today, Bon Appétit joins Chef Kelly Mencin, owner of NYC’s Radio Bakery, to make focaccia. Radio Bakery is one of New York’s hottest bakeries and was named one of the best in America by The New York Times.

00:00 Intro
00:49 Mix Levain
02:58 Autolyse Dough
07:18 Slap and Fold
08:09 Divid and Shape
09:51 Proof
10:38 Stretch and Proof
12:07 Top and Bake

Determined to make their small apartment work for their growing family, one couple turned their home into a shape-shifting marvel. They wanted to stay in their beloved space but needed more functionality—so they enlisted architect Robert Garneau, a master of transforming apartments.

His solution: a telescopic design that expands and contracts as needed, using sliding walls, hidden beds, and built-in cabinetry to make every inch count. The original bedroom, now a child’s private retreat, features a Murphy bed, a built-in desk, and storage that disappears into the walls. A pocket door closes it off when needed, creating a self-contained suite.

At the opposite end of the apartment, a pivoting floor-to-ceiling wall swings out to reveal a concealed Murphy bed, instantly forming a second bedroom. Another hidden panel completes the enclosure, offering privacy without the permanence of fixed walls.

Beyond sleeping arrangements, the apartment transforms effortlessly for daily life. The living room, equipped with a recessed fireplace and hidden television, doubles as a gathering space. A coffee table expands into a full dining setup, making room for dinner parties. Even the compact kitchen is designed for serious cooking, with high-end appliances integrated into the space.