Broken Angel House, Folk art structure in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, US.
The Broken Angel House is a folk art structure in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, that was expanded with a distinctive tower addition that extended the original four-story brick building to 104 feet in height. The interior contained multiple levels constructed from recycled materials including glass bottles, with a camera obscura installation integrated into the experimental spaces.
Arthur Wood purchased the former Brooklyn Trolley headquarters in 1979 and began transforming it through continuous construction that lasted 27 years. The structure evolved from an abandoned administrative building into an experimental art residence through gradual expansion and creative rebuilding.
The house gained widespread attention after appearing in the 2005 film Dave Chappelle's Block Party, which highlighted the neighborhood's artistic community. The interior spaces served as a canvas for residents to express their creativity through construction and artistic experimentation.
The building was challenging to navigate due to its experimental layout with multiple levels at varying heights and unconventional room configurations. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and allow extra time to explore the numerous handcrafted details and surprising elements throughout the interior.
The residents created floating rooms and cathedral-like interiors featuring handmade stained glass windows constructed from found objects. This unconventional building approach made every space a unique artistic creation that continuously evolved and changed.
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