Project Details

This single-family residence aims to take advantage of a small, urban site by directing views away from neighboring houses and towards the greater urban landscape.

While the building has a very small footprint, its open plan creates a sense of spaciousness. A “moment frame” was designed for the West wall of the house—a load-bearing exterior wall comprised of windows set into a steel structural frame. The frame frees the interior from the need for load-bearing walls, which maintains continuous access to the view within the space. The house opens up in multiple ways and directions, with a walled garden to the East and two decks to the West. Hanging steel stairs, suspended between the North wall and a steel plate, enhance this sense of transparency.

The design encourages natural ventilation and passive solar shading, while the roof collects rainwater that is stored in a cistern for greywater use. The boiler is plumbed and the house wired to integrate solar panels at a future date.

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