Urban House Prototype

Project Statement

The Urban House Prototype was developed as a modular solution for small urban lots. The house is designed using a three dimensional grid which accomodates the thicknesses and sizes of common building materials. The massing of the project is intended to break down the scale of the building into a sculptural composition. The plan is designed to be flexible and allow for variations to suit a client’s specific program. The exterior is clad with a ceramic faced brick and internal rain screen to mitigate moisture buildup in the wall system in humid climates.

Framework for Design Excellence Narrative

**AIA FRAMEWORK FOR DESIGN EXCELLENCE**

\n ENERGY


This residence is an all electric building using state of the art Mitsubishi heat pump technology to optimize comfort and conserve energy. The building utilizes a high efficiency glazing system and foam insulation to optimize the envelope performance. All lighting in the project is LED.

\n WELL BEING

\n The use of light / white painted surfaces achieves natural daylighting in all major spaces. Acoustic diffusion in the living and dining areas improve the environment for communication. Electronic sensors for particulate pollution, CO2 and radon were  installed to monitor air quality. The crawl space has a vapor barrier and a 4” concrete slab to mitigate humidity levels combined with a dehumidifier to assist the primary HVAC system. All coatings and paints are low VOC products. All fabrics are made of natural fibers and leathers.

\n RESOURCES

\n This project was designed to require minimal maintenance over the life of the building. There are no painted elements on the exterior that will require re-coating. The ceramic brick assembly includes an internal rainscreen to prevent moisture buildup inside the wall cavity. This reduces the formation of mold and extends the life of the building.