This
38,000 square foot urban site is surrounded by two neighborhoods
distinct in both scale and character. To the south is a 40-foot
wide one-way street lined with low- and mid-rise residential
buildings, most with entry forecourts. To the north is a four-lane
arterial road dominated by commercial uses. The south facing
E-shaped plan serves to break up the building mass on the smaller
residential street and presents an appropriately scaled facade
facing north. In addition, the configuration minimizes north-facing
apartments and creates sunlit courtyards open to the street,
replicating the underlying neighborhood street pattern.
The
two courtyards located between the wings of the "E,"
built over the underground parking deck, are slightly raised
above street level. In this way, the courtyards are visibly
accessible to the street yet preserve a sense of privacy and
security for the majority of residents.
Photos
by Bruce T. Martin
