stuart shanks architecture has collaborated with b^space studio to realize a custom residence, located on a dense suburban plot of a train commuter town outside of new york city. using elemental materiality and bright pops of color, the dwelling is designed to reinterpret the traditional forms of the neighboring houses from the 1930s, stripped of all traditional decoration. 

the green and blue and pink and purple house 2
all images courtesy of stuart shanks 

 

 

since the house is situated at the corner of a busy intersection, the design by stuart shanks architecture and b^space studio starts from the interior, moving towards the external areas. following this ‘inside out’ approach, the project first programs the interior layout, positioning furniture, and other spatial elements according to the occupants’ needs and preferences. when it comes to the exterior form, unfinished wood rain screens left to bleach, exposed concrete, and masonry blocks generate two simple volumes, stacked on top of each other.

the green and blue and pink and purple house 12

 

an internal explosion of color is combined with the external simple stacked forms, with the occasional volume misalignment resulting in voids. these areas serve as bold colorful hints of what is going on inside the house. in addition, the voids also allow for light to enter and brighten up the house. 

the green and blue and pink and purple house 1

 

 

apart from the bright tones, one dramatic feature of the dwelling is the front entrance, which gives the illusion of a much bigger room missing its fourth wall. the area is bisected with glass to form a dining room, an entry, and an outdoor porch. this continuity creates an open seamless semi-public space, interconnected with the private interior. the lines between exterior and interior are further blurred on the second floor, where the open patios meet the intimate bedrooms.

the green and blue and pink and purple house 3

the green and blue and pink and purple house 7

the green and blue and pink and purple house 6

the green and blue and pink and purple house 8

the green and blue and pink and purple house 9

the green and blue and pink and purple house 10

the green and blue and pink and purple house 11

 

 

project info:

 

name: the ‘green’ house
architecture office: stuart shanks architecture, b^space studio
location: white plains, new york

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom