a nine-point grid arranges Kwong Von Glinow’s open plan
Some of This, Some of That, a retreat by Kwong Von Glinow, resides in a forested clearing in New York and shapes an efficient and fluid spatial layout for a family. The starting point for the retreat begins with nine T-shaped volumes that house all the utility, storage, and wet spaces. Positioned on a grid, the nine T-shaped volumes rotate relative to each other to create uniquely shaped spaces for the family room, dining room, kitchen, office, library, reading room, and bedrooms, and give a sense of spatial differentiation for each within the open plan.
The specific arrangement of the Ts allows for visual access across the house from one end to the other and out towards the surrounding forested view. This planar organization liberates the floorplan from a reliance on walls to define separate rooms and instead uses shapely elements that concentrate back-of-house spaces—the Ts—to internally organize a fully open space with soft divisions within.
all images courtesy of Kwong Von Glinow
volumetric skylights puncture through the circular canopy
To connect the retreat to the landscape further, the studio employs a cast-in-place concrete floor that follows the natural grade of the land, ascending 2 feet over the course of its length, with 6-inch incremental steps that surreptitiously and simultaneously define and blur the boundary between spaces within the home. This sectional organization is derived from the site’s slope and brings the landscape’s section into the home itself, allowing residents to move within the space as they would if they were outdoors.
The exterior cinder-block facade continues on the interior of the retreat, fully wrapping the T-shaped volumes and reinforcing the connection between inside and outside. The focus on the views towards the surrounding greenery becomes evident as they are framed between the circular base of the retreat and the roof’s continuous circular canopy. The sloping corrugated roof that extends beyond interior spaces creates sheltered patios adjacent to all sides of the home. Distinctive volumetric skylights carve out primary geometries from the monolithic roof plan and create unique atmospheres for the living areas. House, Some of This, Some of That avoids a singular way of living and highlights the architectural elements fostering this openness.
a sloping corrugated roof extends to create sheltered patios on all sides of the house
visual access stretches across the retreat, connecting interior spaces to the surrounding forest
the circular roof canopy frames the retreat and enhances its connection to the forest
sheltered patios offer shaded outdoor spaces, extending the interior into the natural surroundings
geometric skylights punctuate the roof, casting light and defining unique atmospheres for each room
instead of walls, shapely elements organize the open floor plan while maintaining spatial fluidity
the rotated T-shaped volumes create distinct spaces within the open-plan layout
the retreat avoids rigid spatial divisions, encouraging dynamic family interactions
soft spatial boundaries allow natural light to flow freely through the home
project info:
name: House, Some of This, Some of That
architects: Kwong Von Glinow | @kwongvonglinow
design team: Lap Chi Kwong, Alison Von Glinow, Eric Shichen Li
client: Withheld
area: 2,170 sqft
location: New York
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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom
