Allison&Graham

withheld, Memphis, TN United States

Building Area (sf): 3 bedroom = 1,980 sf; 2 bedroom = 1,600 sf

Completion: 2017

Architect of Record:

archimania

archimania

• Owner/Client:
• General Contractor: AtHome Builders, LLC.
• Electrical: n/a
• Engineering:
  
• Other:
  
• Photography:
  firm
  

Located near the geographic center of Memphis, this three-unit development maximizes a long vacant property in a popular postwar neighborhood with three simple, cost-effective homes.

The basic form of each home recalls the archetypal image of a house, as a child might draw it, and reflects the unadorned character of the surrounding 1950’s minimal-tradition style homes. This simple roof form and straightforward framing allowed a competent yet inexpensive work crew to construct the homes to reduce costs. The overall mass is broken down into two separate components: living and sleeping. The gable-roofed sleeping volume clad in white lap siding contains bedrooms, bathrooms and an office space. This pure white form is stacked on top of a black base which houses the open interior living spaces. The thin proportion of the plans (based on 16’ lumber) creates light filled interiors, maximizes the layout of the small lot, and provides each home with a private outdoor space.

On the interior, more solid programmatic elements (the stair and laundry/pantry area) are placed at either end of the plan, creating an open internal living space and providing privacy from the street and rear neighbors. A large window wall visually extends dining and kitchen spaces into the side yard and outdoor entertaining area. The efficient use of space, exposed ceiling joists and light interior palette make these homes feel larger than they are.

The cost-effective material palette is limited to wood and exposed concrete floors, cement board siding, and off the shelf metal roofing. Black and white siding and weathered cedar fencing act as a neutral backdrop for minimal landscaping of Japanese Maples and a contrasting mix of mown/unmown Zoysia.