This 20-foot-wide wood frame townhouse, located
at the end of a row along a narrow side yard, had
existing front and rear extensions. The building
volume was selectively manipulated—in some cases
through addition, in others through subtraction—to
improve room sizes, sequences and adjacencies.
Generously sized skylights, window walls and
glazed corners were employed to make the most of
available natural light.
window and mudroom. The rotation of the front
door—now perpendicular to the street—attenuates
the entry sequence (meaning the visitor doesn’t
enter directly into the main volume, as in a
typical row house). To open up the exposed wall
to available light, the stairs were relocated to the
party wall. Instead of a straight run, the stairs take
a ninety-degree turn and are lit from above, by a
large skylight. The corners of the living room and
dining rooms were eroded to bring light in and
extend views diagonally.
The front extension was carved away at the corner
to create a covered front porch, wraparound
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