Architectural Record, “Best Unbuilt House”

The Swell House celebrates forms created from the combination of old and new, resisting American suburban trends. The clients needed to accommodate a growing family and a decision was made to build a new second floor on the old house. Wrapping the old and new spaces with clapboard, flexible yet rigid in appearance, the parts meld into a whole—the new curves supported by the older straight lines. Adding to the house also keeps demolition to a minimum. In long-term efforts to reduce waste, the windows are carefully placed to minimize energy consumption, and a double skin maintains the indoor temperature by natural ventilation between the two skins in summer or adding insulation in the winter.

Collaboration with Z-A Studio