A single-family residence on a smaller-than-average urban lot had a program that set out to maximize the living area and appear grand in size, despite a tight building envelope close to its 4 property lines and neighbors.
Rather than turn its "eyes" on the street and rear yard, the design scheme opened them to all sides in order to maximize natural light and help the interior spaces feel larger.
Glass, masonry, and wood rain-screen form an exterior façade pattern interwoven on an 8-foot grid. The dark masonry upper mass is set on a white stone plinth, creating a datum for the separation of the basement level. The white stone foundation wall extends its arm out to capture the front yard.
Ceiling heights, including the basement, are 10-foot minimum to help emphasize large, open space.
The stair "chimney", and a floor cutout from Basement to Level 1 help circulate air from a radiant-heated basement slab.
A 560-sf roof deck tops off the project to make up for lost front and rear yard open space.