20TH STREET
HOUSE
BFDO ARCHITECTS
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.
The front extension was carved away at the corner to create a covered
front porch, wraparound 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.
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