house A

97w | STEVEN HALLIDAY, AIA & JASON EGGENBURGER, AIA

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The residence at College Avenue is an exercise in reduction. The architecture takes its cue from the owners’ functional and minimalist lifestyle. At 1,910 square feet, there is no wasted space. A covered entry court welcomes visitors with a butt-glazed corner window for a glimpse into the kitchen and living space. The ground floor living area revolves around the kitchen and the massive island for cooking and entertaining. Slider doors provide views and direct access to outdoor living and gardens. The fireplace is centered on the east wall creating a cozy corner for reading. The second floor is organized around the central stair and vertical window that fills the space with northern light. An upstairs living room and balcony overlook the front yard with views to urban sunsets and passing trains. The Primary and Child suites sit within the branches and leaves of the surrounding trees with expansive windows and clerestory for continuous views. A full wet room bath and shower provide a durable and clean en suite.

The house is arranged to accommodate an active lifestyle. Bicycle storage is an essential component and a procession from trail to shower was critical in the design process. By limiting the footprint of the house, the impact on the site is minimized leaving ample open space for gardening and outdoor living. This strategy helped to maintain as many of the existing tress on the site as possible while reducing the impervious area.

Formally the project is modest and simple; the geometry is organized in two shifting volumes. The second level volume is wrapped in a bonderized metal rainscreen that cantilevers a mass stucco wall concealing the garage and bicycle storage. The west facing balcony addresses the street. The ground floor, clad in wood siding, is slightly recessed from the upper putting the cedar siding under cover for rain and sun. The exterior materials are durable and integral to the reading of the massing. The bonderized metal panels and shou sugi ban cedar siding provide a neutral palette that are intended to patina as the house matures. The house, while beautiful, does not have to be treated as precious.

The project infilled a vacant lot along the seam of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway between Ryan Place and South Hemphill Heights neighborhoods. The neighboring structures are predominantly craftsmen bungalows clad in lap siding with some masonry accents. The design aligns with the surrounding structures in scale and setback but responds to other site challenges that could not be foreseen when the neighborhood was built in the early 20th century. While formally and materially different, the house feels compatible. Despite this compatibility, the project required review by the City of Forth Urban Design Commission for a variance to the residential zoning masonry requirements.

For the full story and more design details check out this feature article in 360 West.

https://360westmagazine.com/architecture/2021/04/architecture/

PROJECT SIZE

3 bed, 2.5 bath, 1 living | 1,910 SF Conditioned SF | 2.242 SF Total SF

COMPLETION DATE

2019

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM MEMBERS

Steven Halliday, AIA

Jason Eggenburger, AIA

Thomas Mouton

Rachael Owens

PROJECT CONSULTANTS