TYPE: Residential
STATUS: Built
HOUSE A is a reconfiguration of the classic 3-story Philadelphia rowhome. One of the challenges of the typical long and narrow rowhome lot is finding a way to bring natural light deep into the core. Instead of the standard staircase stack, which is typically located in the center of the house (and often adjacent to poorly lit corridors), HOUSE A unexpectedly slides the stairwell to the front wall. Carefully positioned windows communicate with stair landings to frame views and create a visually complex and fully activated façade. Perforated steel risers allow daylight to filter through the stairwell and into the attached living spaces. Envisioned as an adaptable solution to multiple narrow infill lots (HOUSE A is only 15’ wide), this new typology has been further explored in other variations, in some cases with the stairwell flipped to the rear of the house, depending on site and solar angle.