Studio D ' Arc

South Side Courtyard House Pool Pavilion & Landscape

South Side Courtyard House Pool Pavilion & Landscape
© Alexander Denmarsh

SOUTH SIDE COURTYARD HOUSE POOL PAVILION & LANDSCAPE

studio d'ARC

ARCHITECTS
studio d'ARC

LOCATION
Pittsburgh, United States

AREA
3700 ft²

CATEGORY
Pavilion

DESIGN TEAM
Debbie Battistone, José Pertierra-Arrojo

YEAR
2018

LEAD ARCHITECT
Gerard Damiani

MANUFACTURERS
Kohler, Nemetschek, Toto, BLUDOT, McNeel, Optimum Steel Windows, York Building Products

Text description provided by architect.

This pavilion and landscape complement a previously commissioned adaptive re-use of an urban roofing fabrication shop into a single-family courtyard house located in the urban South Side neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

South Side Courtyard House Pool Pavilion & Landscape
© Alexander Denmarsh
South Side Courtyard House Pool Pavilion & Landscape
© Alexander Denmarsh

The purpose of the project was to complement an already existing series of landscape spaces established in the earlier development of the residence with other recreational uses.

Through the purchase of two small adjacent properties, a new outdoor area contains a series of activity zones that comprise a recreational precinct.

South Side Courtyard House Pool Pavilion & Landscape
© Alexander Denmarsh
South Side Courtyard House Pool Pavilion & Landscape
© Alexander Denmarsh

The overall site boundaries are defined by a series of polished concrete block walls that delineate both the landscape space and the street edge as well as contain pool equipment and a changing/restroom.

The existing concrete wall of the courtyard house is lined by a series of Hornbeam trees that act as a shaded edge.

South Side Courtyard House Pool Pavilion & Landscape
© Alexander Denmarsh
South Side Courtyard House Pool Pavilion & Landscape
© Alexander Denmarsh

The existing concrete wall of the courtyard house is lined by a series of Hornbeam trees that act as a shaded edge overlooking the swimming pool and contain within them a weathered steel entry vestibule leading to the main residence.

These trees, when matured, will be trimmed to define a spatial bosque similar to a formal garden. An in-ground trampoline ends the landscape zone along with a series of steel gabions at the street edge that contains limestone and sedum planting.

A pool pavilion containing a modest seating area and bar has direct views of the landscape zone and the adjoining swimming pool with which it is on-axis.

The cube-like massing of the pavilion reflects the volumetric properties of the two-story living room found within the residence.

South Side Courtyard House Pool Pavilion & Landscape
© Alexander Denmarsh
South Side Courtyard House Pool Pavilion & Landscape
© Alexander Denmarsh
South Side Courtyard House Pool Pavilion & Landscape
© Alexander Denmarsh
South Side Courtyard House Pool Pavilion & Landscape
© Alexander Denmarsh

Photovoltaic panels are used to offset the required energy consumption for the pool heater and other power requirements.

The pool pavilion continues to define the landscape by engaging its back wall with a half-court basketball court.

Two round roof scuppers drain roof water into the basketball court that in the winter months help to compose the façade with long forming icicles.

South Side Courtyard House Pool Pavilion & Landscape
© Alexander Denmarsh
South Side Courtyard House Pool Pavilion & Landscape
© Alexander Denmarsh

Additionally, the concrete surface of the basketball court can be flooded to become a skating rink allowing recreational activities to continue year-round.


South Side Courtyard House Pool Pavilion & Landscape
© studio d'ARC

Studio D ' Arc
T +1 412 3812645 F +1 412 3812647
Studio D ' Arc
139 S 22nd St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203, United States