Situated on a long and narrow site, sandwiched between two large houses, 196 Winthrop Ave accentuates views to the street and lush backyard. With a more neutral exterior envelope that takes advantage of the extents of the lot, a more dynamic interior world is possible through the house within a house scheme.
The inner house is composed of three seemingly floating bedrooms and core containing the stair, closets, and washrooms, which are organized along a central spine. Imagined as a house for either a family or three roommates, the separate and equal bedrooms and washrooms defies the hierarchy typical to a suburban single family home and allow for added privacy and simultaneous occupancy. The gaps between the three suspended bedrooms over the open plan bellow allow sunlight to not only reach the lower level but also create a rhythm that breaks down the space into its various functions without obstructing views to the front and backyard.
The seemingly banal house does not call for attention from the street, but offers many opportunities of interaction inside through the dynamic section and daylighting. In an area with constantly shifting climates, this house within a house allows for both privacy and play.
Published in Retrospecta 39