höweler + yoon architecture: 10 degrees house

höweler + yoon architecture has completed the ’10 degrees house’ in arlington, virginia, responding to a difficultly narrow site and economical budget to maximize site lines and privacy while staying within setback regulations. located on a sloping site, the angled section matches the plan, cutting away at a 10-degree angle to open up space for a side courtyard hidden within the house providing a private exterior space shielded from the street and a void to bring in natural light to the center of the mass. the incline of the property created the opportunity to cleverly design a full floor, walk-out basement, two half floors and an extra room over the garage.

all images courtesy of howeler and yoon architecture

the warm glow of the interior provides a contrasting color to the grey cement board panels that envelope the residence. a custom aluminum handrail runs along the edge of the property line, protecting the stone-paved patio with a japanese maple tree and stepping concrete pools with cascading water, offering a moment of meditative peace within a suburban context.

courtyard

the american firm recently won the AUDI urban future award 2012 for their ‘boswash’ project which looks to creating a system which interconnects existing modes of transportation between boston and washington to enhance inhabitants’ experience of commuting between living and work. see designboom’s coverage of their plan here.

glass doors around the courtyard extend the interior to the exterior

courtyard

trough of water

stepped concrete ponds

caption

main living space and kitchen next to the courtyard

extra mezzanine above garage

interior stairs

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level 1

floor plan / level 2

section

section

elevation

elevation