THREE BUILDINGS
Understanding the current economic and environmental climate, and how it relates to our wellness, we studied the impact of the residence’s footprint on the environment. By adding a large extension onto an existing building with a footprint of only 19 x 40 feet (7,5 x 16 meters), we converted this townhouse into an 8-story vertically stacked tower of rooms, wrapped within a spacious lattice envelope functioning as a climatic skin, the third ‘building’.

CLIMATE SKIN
By adding a 3D trellis volume much larger than the building itself (a trellis or screen is not bound by building codes), we created a new interstitial exterior space, thus blurring the distinction between interior and exterior. Made from lightweight steel frame and folding panels clad with Trespa™ slats, this “smart climate control envelope” serves as an adaptable perimeter to the building, creating a micro-climate that provides passive solar energy in the winter and shading in the summer to help stabilize the house’s environment. The effect of the climate trellis was studied in Ladybug and Honeybee, open source environmental plugins for Grasshopper.

The model indicated and calculated that interior radiation is reduced by 45 percent during warmer months, significantly lowering the need for air conditioning, while still allowing indirect and natural light to enter through the horizontal slats. When the operable trellis is opened during colder months, interior radiation is 25 percent higher compared to having the trellis closed, allowing for passive solar energy, and reducing the need for heating.

Extensive prototyping assisted in optimizing the movement of the operable trellis panels, that transform as they fold open: when closed they are one smooth surface, when open “finger-like” fins fold out like feathers of a birdwing. Like an intricate lacework dress, the sheathing changes character and appearance at different times of the day and serves as both filter and amplifier between the privacy of the house and the public streetscape. This way, the façade effortlessly adapts to the residents’ changing needs, and simultaneously connects to and encloses from the outdoors.

VERTICALITY
We addressed the challenge of nearly doubling the original townhouse into a 8 story single residence, by assembling the additional program as interlocking vertical volumes, that intersect to maximize spatial variety, while strategic cuts allow light to enter deep into the building section, and create curated views. In the rear a dramatic 6 story south-facing window-slot allows sunlight to penetrate through the glass elevator into the 8-story black staircase in one continuous movement. Together with recessed LED lights, the sensation of extreme verticality is highlighted, and mundane everyday tasks are transformed into a dynamic spatial experience. Double height spaces between the kitchen and dining, and between the study and main bedroom, allow for spatial interlacing, and visually connect multiple floors. The steel windows and doors are by Italian manufacturer Mix Legno and the floors are by Siberian Wood. 

ROOF ROOM
When moving up in the on three sides enclosed building, the existing brick and wood warehouse transform in a glass and steel extension open on all 4 sides. Colors are lighter, light radiates in from all facades, including through skylights. At the top floor the stair core takes a sharp 90-degree turn and shoots up through to the bulkhead, where one finds a meditation spot in a steel black box that penetrates suspended in the trellis that provides beautiful views of the city. The roof terrace is transformed in a “roof room” with pantry and dining area, as it is wrapped in the vegetation-covered trellis volume, creating shading and privacy while allowing sunlight to penetrate. The terrace floor and seating are clad in recycled Ipe wood, and its dark gray concrete plank facade wraps the terrace before it cascades down the tall north facade.