urbansight 19

The project consists of two duplexes on a sloping site with views of the Cascade Mountains to the east. Primary automobile access to the site is from the alley to the west with parking for all four units. A stairway descends from the alley to the coutyard between the two buildings.  Pedestrians can continue down a set of pre-existing stairs to the avenue at the east boundary of the site.

From the courtyard visitors access the eastern units by entering onto a large landing and then moving up into the public living spaces and further up to the meditation room and roof deck or down to the private sleeping spaces. Visitors enter the western units at the lowest level from the courtyard into an open office space while inhabitants enter from the alley through the garage at the second floor. The main living spaces are situated on the third floor with a roof deck above accessed by a penthouse.

In all units, vertical spaces open the main living spaces to the sky, bringing in light from above, and connect the visitor to the open roof decks.