Swell House - Entrance Flickr slideshow
MINIMUM SPACE - MINIMUM BUDGET
We recently received a Citation from the Maryland Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, 2008 Design Awards, and a Honorable Mention in the Baltimore Chapter of the American Institute of Architects 2008 Excellence in Design Awards competition, in the Single Family Residence Category, for the home we designed entitled: "Swell" House.
This tiny, 660 square foot, Baltimore City row house is actually and alley house, off an alley. The homeowner was working with minimum footage and a minimum budget. She sought to incorporate as much green material and systems as her budget would allow. Because the construction dollars were directed to her green priorities, this first phase of the home was completed without the built-ins that will finally shape the house in the second phase.
The original first floor of this classic alley house, had an elongated sequence of rooms. Upon entering, one walks a straight line through the living room, dining room, kitchen and a bathroom. The second floor traditionally had two tiny bedrooms, one for the kids and one for the parents. We inverted this form to recognize our 21st Century sensibilities. We located the kitchen and living area on the second floor and extended a deck out beyond the kitchen. We made the first floor into a quiet, low-lit, master suite with bedroom, bathroom and walk-in closet.
The owner's wish was to create a modern, colorful living space, that was thin, luminous and light. We first gutted the house to abate the lead, leaving the original, narrow, space-saving staircase in the center of the house. Energy-Star appliances, energy-saving HVAC equipment, a dual-flush toilet, batt insulation, bamboo flooring and recycled rubber flooring provided energy and sustainability solutions. We added aluminum clad, energy-efficient, Low-E Weathershield casement windows.
We integrated galvanized aluminum and polycarbonate ¾ walls on aluminum studs to save money and to provide “thin” solutions to save space and, in the case of the polycarbonate wall, provide luminosity. We designed sliding doors on industrial tracks to save further space.
The kitchen appliances are simple GE appliances that were purchased from a small local dealer. The kitchen cabinets are inexpensive Ikea brand, however, they are an interesting mix of two different models providing a more dynamic look. Simple perforated metal was used on the stairwell railing and echoed on the deck railing.
Small house. Small budget. Swell result.
This tiny, 660 square foot, Baltimore City row house is actually and alley house, off an alley. The homeowner was working with minimum footage and a minimum budget. She sought to incorporate as much green material and systems as her budget would allow. Because the construction dollars were directed to her green priorities, this first phase of the home was completed without the built-ins that will finally shape the house in the second phase.
The original first floor of this classic alley house, had an elongated sequence of rooms. Upon entering, one walks a straight line through the living room, dining room, kitchen and a bathroom. The second floor traditionally had two tiny bedrooms, one for the kids and one for the parents. We inverted this form to recognize our 21st Century sensibilities. We located the kitchen and living area on the second floor and extended a deck out beyond the kitchen. We made the first floor into a quiet, low-lit, master suite with bedroom, bathroom and walk-in closet.
The owner's wish was to create a modern, colorful living space, that was thin, luminous and light. We first gutted the house to abate the lead, leaving the original, narrow, space-saving staircase in the center of the house. Energy-Star appliances, energy-saving HVAC equipment, a dual-flush toilet, batt insulation, bamboo flooring and recycled rubber flooring provided energy and sustainability solutions. We added aluminum clad, energy-efficient, Low-E Weathershield casement windows.
We integrated galvanized aluminum and polycarbonate ¾ walls on aluminum studs to save money and to provide “thin” solutions to save space and, in the case of the polycarbonate wall, provide luminosity. We designed sliding doors on industrial tracks to save further space.
The kitchen appliances are simple GE appliances that were purchased from a small local dealer. The kitchen cabinets are inexpensive Ikea brand, however, they are an interesting mix of two different models providing a more dynamic look. Simple perforated metal was used on the stairwell railing and echoed on the deck railing.
Small house. Small budget. Swell result.
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