DR Residence

DR Residence

su11 architecture+design

DR Residence
Courtesy of su11

PROJECT MANAGER
Hart Marlow

CONSTRUCTION FIRM
Prutting & Co. Custom Builders

CLIENT
Dreiss/ropp

ARCHITECT IN CHARGE
Erich Schoenenberger, Ferda Kolatan

PHOTOGRAPHS
Courtesy Of Su11

YEAR
2013

LOCATION
United States

CATEGORY
Houses

DR Residence
Courtesy of su11

Text description provided by architect.

This single-family home is a new construction, which had to adhere to the L-shaped plan and overall building envelope of an older house.

In addition to these external constraints, three major components drove the conceptual ideas for the project:

DR Residence
Courtesy of su11
DR Residence
Courtesy of su11

The context (geographical/his­torical), the specific treatment of the building envelope, and spatial-programmatic continuity.

In combination, these three aspects aimed to create a unique house with a bold contemporary expression without appearing too alien to its environment.

DR Residence
Courtesy of su11
DR Residence
Courtesy of su11

We took our initial inspiration from the barn, a popular building type in Connecticut. We were mainly interested in two of the characteristics of this type. First, we wanted to anchor the project within a historical and geographical context.

Second, we were intrigued by the abstract quali­ties of these compelling objects. Their specific treatment of volume, apertures, and overall geometry interested us as tools to estrange conventional ideas of residential housing.

We began by altering the original L-shaped volume through carving maneuvers in response to functional and programmatic elements.

For instance, the partial outward leaning of the second floor results in a deepening of the façade and therefore a better shading/thermal performance for the bedrooms. It also allows for cutting back roof overhangs, thus accentuating the volumetric char­acter of the design, while still protecting the outside perimeter.

DR Residence
Courtesy of su11
DR Residence
Courtesy of su11

Other carvings reflect program­matic and circulatory conditions of the interior and create deliberate distortions of the envelope, which play with our concepts of perspective and depth-of-field.

On the interior the angular play of the façade generates thick walls for pro­grammatic use and spatial continuity. The client’s wish for openness, maximization of views and light is met without sacrificing functionality or usability.

DR Residence
Courtesy of su11
DR Residence
Courtesy of su11

The geometrical pivot point of the L-shape becomes the spacious double-height stairwell/entrance area around which activi­ties such as cooking, dining, playing, relaxing, entertaining, etc. organize freely and without strict demarcations.


DR Residence
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DR Residence
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DR Residence
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DR Residence
Floor Plan
DR Residence
Floor Plan
DR Residence
Floor Plan