Alaska Residence

Architect: West Architecture Studio GC: Principle Builders Group Sq Ft: 3700 This new construction home is on an corner infill lot in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood. In this home, as with all West Architecture Studio projects, there is an emphasis on very site-specific design and seamless integration of the home with the outdoors. Careful consideration and emphasis of landscape design and elements is a priority here as with all of our projects. The very exposed corner lot raised slightly above street level meant that most sides of the home are fairly visually exposed so it was even more important here than normal to insure that no elevation of the home was secondary in design or material. The glass “box” entry addresses the houses corner condition. A play of varying floor levels in the home provides spatial interest and distinguishes room functions in the home without having to use walls to do so. Despite large areas of window glass, passive solar design strategies such as very large overhangs, deep inset windows, and careful window placement insure great interior light though with relatively modest solar energy gain. On the side street elevation, a “floating” architectural frame element echoes a similar one on the front but remains open to provide solar protection to a second floor rooftop deck. A huge architecturally integrated planter separated from the dining room by a seamless glass wall blurs the boundary between indoor and outdoor - bringing a sense of garden connection to a space that is raised well above grade level.