PARA project inserts haffenden house between two suburban homes

PARA-project inserts haffenden house between two suburban homes
photo by nathan rader
all images © PARA project

jon lott of new york-based practice PARA project has designed a writing studio for two poets, located in a residential neighborhood of syracuse. referencing gianni pettena’s ice house from 1972, the white cuboid volume is inserted between two existing suburban homes. at ground level ‘haffenden house’ accommodates a garage/breezway before ascending to a library and writing space above. within the reading room at the uppermost level, a bowl-shaped division maximizes indirect light for the storey below. the studio uses a translucent silicon-impregnated fabric skin filling internal space with natural light, while at the rear of the property a hung fabric curtain offers privacy from neighboring buildings.

the building forms a writing studio for two poets

a tranquil area of relaxation at the second storey reading room

a bowl-shaped division maximizes indirect light for the storey below

a hung fabric curtain offers privacy from neighboring buildings
photo by nathan rader

the curtain can be drawn at night, providing additional seclusion
photo by nathan rader

project info:

project name: haffenden house
location: syracuse, new york, USA
client: private
architect: jon lott / PARA
project team: jon lott, hilary pinnington, paul kneeply
completed: 2014
project size: 1,125 sqf (104.5 sqm)
program: writing studio, reading room
materials: silicon-impregnated fiberglass, concrete, mirror, walnut, glass