Archi-Tectonics

512GW TOWNHOUSE
8 story, 1 family Residence in Soho NYC

THREE BUILDINGS
Understanding the current economical and environmental climate, and how it relates to our wellness, we decided to rethink 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, 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
The building volume setbacks are inscribed within in a unifying, rectangular trellis envelope of multiple patterns and densities. Made from lightweight steel frame and folding panels clad with Trespa™ slats, this “smart passive climate control envelope” serves as an adaptable perimeter of the building. It provides shading and ventilation, while also creating variable levels of privacy for a variety of outdoor balconies and roof terraces.

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 view angles, 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. This together with recessed LED lights, highlight the sensation of extreme verticality, and transforms mundane everyday tasks into a dynamic spatial experience.

Double height spaces between the kitchen and dining and between the study and master bedroom allow for spatial interlacing, long views through. At the interior the double height windows connect the stairs back to the living spaces, while at the street façade they give striking double tall views of the terraces and trellis. The steel windows are by Italian manufacturer Mix Legno and the floors are by Siberian Wood.

Credits

Year: Completed 2019

Location: Soho, NYC

Client: Private

Project Type: 8-story residential, single-family

Size: 4500 sq ft and roof terrace

Design Team: Principal in charge: Winka Dubbeldam, Assoc. AIA | Project Leaders: Justin Korhammer, Hanxing Zu | Archi-Tectonics Team: Boden Davies, Avra Tomara, Hsiang Wei

Consultants: Structural Engineers: Cantor & Seinuk Engineers, PC | Mechanical Engineers: 2LS Consulting Engineering | General Contractor: Galcon Construction

Photography: Archi-Tectonics | Federica Carlet

Architect of Record: Randall Collins, Architect

Videography: Surface Magazine

Credits

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