Collaborative Designworks

Oct 2013

HOUSE X2 emerged as the product of compromise, flexibility, and creativity. The challenging site at the edge of an established residential neighborhood had been slated for a controversial new office building when the Owners proposed an alternate use - a pair of homes for their growing families with one unit having the Architect's office on the ground floor. The scheme acts as a buffer between the residential and commercial neighbors bordering the property, a much appreciated resolution to the challenge created by Houston's lack of zoning policies. The building's contemporary aesthetic makes use of commercial materials and technologies for the live-work scheme, helping to mediate between the adjacent traditional residences and the larger scale and contemporary look of the nearby office buildings. The city's development code required the building to be set back a third of the width of the site, dictating a more vertical solution, but also bestowing the advantage of tree-top views. The building's sculpted form is strategically designed for calculated window shading, protective cover at the entries, interlocking outdoor terraces, and to allow for more desirable window placement oriented North / South while preserving privacy.

Houston, TX

Oct 2013

Embedded in the isolated environment of a West Virginia forest, the design for Rihadema amplifies the awareness of nature through the manipulation of key viewpoints. The site, an undeveloped section of forest with significant elevation changes, offers dramatic views to the valley and mountains west and south-east. Man-made clearings, orientation of the buildings, and the placement of glazing are used to highlight these views and guide visitors along the circulation paths to the entry and, finally, into the house. The framed views unfold as a sequence of events: the bridge connecting the garage to the main house provides a controlled view to the west, taking the visitor into the interior by the presentation of the southern view through the house. Upon entering, views to the west draw the visitor into the living space. Support spaces are housed within the distinct central core which provides much of the structural support. This organization forces circulation to be pushed to the perimeter in an effort to maximize the visual connection with the site, enhancing the indoor / outdoor experience. Stone, wood, and CMU were selected for their regional aesthetic that blends the project into its natural environment. Wrapping of these materials emulates the natural intertwining of rocks, moss, and roots observed on site. Rihadema's long, slender form was developed and oriented to maximize the southern exposure for passive heating, preferred views, and daylighting benefits. The faceted roof mimics the dramatic rock outcroppings while also sloping inward to hug the site and emulate the horizon line.

Masontown, WV

Mar 2013

The Mt Vernon design takes advantage of a unique site utilization strategy by providing garage access via a rare alleyway; freeing up space for a communal landscaped entry courtyard to the 3 units. This space further acts as a buffer to the neighboring buildings nearly eliminating the minimal 3-foot separation that often plagues higher density development in Houston. A common design language unifies the scheme by providing a clear coding of the volumes and forms of the building. Two methods of stucco finish are utilized, one painted white, the other a natural grey finish with contrasting joint layouts; orthogonal in the grey and angular in the white. To offset the more stark finish of the stucco, a rain-screen of natural finished redwood with a stunning grain pattern warms up the overall appearance of the exterior. The floor plan design takes advantage of each homes view and natural lighting opportunities. Interior finishes are intentionally rather restrained and simple. Color and texture are introduced sparingly with natural materials. Sculptural millwork pieces help to anchor areas within the open plan.

Houston, TX

Sep 2010

The Hyde Park Double offered a unique opportunity to design two single family homes on adjacent lots within an established neighborhood. Surrounded by a variety of architectural styles and an eclectic cultural mix, it was crucial to compose the two buildings to compliment each other without losing their individuality. The houses share certain common elements and materials, but the spatial arrangement relates to the City in two distinctly different ways. The houses achieve a balance between natural light and privacy with secluded front yards and central courtyards. Front porches, common in this neighborhood, are moved to the 2nd floor but maintain their public role along the street-front. 1216, the corner house, features private, peaceful, sleeping areas downstairs. The 2nd floor has a central courtyard surrounded by public entertaining areas with the flexibility to organize the space by operating the large sliding glass doors. 1212 flips this arrangement with bedrooms upstairs sharing the front porch and rear widow's walk. The 1st floor public spaces are organized around the mosaic tile "snake" wall that runs through the house.

Houston, TX

Feb 2006

The 505 sits near Houston's rejuvenated downtown on West Alabama Street. The Project is designed within the economic and market constraints of a speculative housing development and achieved financial success while also making responsible use of land, incorporating sustainable design principles, and possessing an architectural identity. The property was eligible to hold 5 units, but only 4 were built in order to leave space for yards and to reduce the amount of shared walls, thereby allowing for more windows. The window placement is carefully refined to provide views and an abundance of natural light without sacrificing privacy. Third floor roof decks located between units engender a sense of community while providing an outdoor buffer between living spaces.

Houston, TX

Apr 2005

HOUSE 2045 reinforces a growing trend towards modern design and construction along University Boulevard in Houston, Texas. The design was commissioned by an owner who desired a house that could accommodate all of their daily living needs on a single accessible level in the event of future mobility impairments. The owner's stated "vision of white stucco, and lots of glass," as well as concerns for potential flood waters, guest parking, and car maneuverability led to the simple design volumes and site strategy. Two crossing rectangular tubes contain the separate programmatic elements. The lower tube houses the Owner's main living areas and appears to hover above the ground plain. Dramatic custom red kitchen millwork anchors the back of the large open living area, and oval, cone-shaped skylights pierce the space helping to accentuate and define unique areas of the open plan. The upper tube cantilevers across the lower tube and the garage, and contains the guest bedrooms and a play area. The use of doors was kept to a minimum; instead, the design relies upon the placement of fixed walls in conjunction with large sliding panels to distinguish individual spaces and provide privacy. Collaboration with Openshop Studio.

Houston, TX

Sep 2013

The Binary House design was conceived of as part of the premier collection for Hometta. The Binary House design explores several simple dualities of modern living: flexible open spaces with user-defined areas, abundant natural lighting without excessive heat gain, and a strong relationship to the exterior without sacrificing privacy. These dualities inform the basic interlocking masses of the building and the spaces within. The house's exterior interplay of solid and void, coded with specific material designations presents a dynamic image suitable to numerous orientations and locations. For this version of the design, located in Houston's Rice University area, the owners requested a modification to include a ground floor master suite, additional bedroom space upstairs, and a unique, 3-story, steel and glass master closet. The house?s relationship to the neighborhood was of primary importance to the Owners who have lived on this street for many years. With a refreshing attitude toward community, the open carport / landscaped yard area is intended as a play area for all the kids on the block.

Houston, TX

Feb 2012

For this new home in the Lakeshore district of New Orleans, Collaborative Designworks undertook an intense investigation into the site context, local building techniques, and the owners' background. Built for a native New Orleans couple who previously had only lived in traditional homes, the directive was instead to design a modern interpretation of the historic homes of their past. In addition, the owners desired a light-filled, materially rich, and exceptionally efficient house. The project is located in a fragmented neighborhood mixed with bland recent construction, large new homes, and several stunning mid-century modern houses. Directly across the street sits a Curtis & Davis designed home which became one of the springboards for the design. Specifically the treatment of brick walls as independent planes which enclose the perimeter of the structure, but never extend all the way to the roof-plane. These masonry walls are also dematerialized into screens as they separate from the enclosure; another common element of nearby homes. The three volumes of the home surround a small inner courtyard and terrace down in height to meet the scale of the house next door and mimic the profile of the house across the street. A series of folded roof planes top the volumes and direct water into strategically hidden downspouts. A sculptural winding stair and tessellated metal balcony railing nostalgically reflect the owners' previous residence at the historic Pontalba building on Jackson square. To achieve a more than 50% reduction in energy costs the home was outfitted with a geothermal heat-pump, extra-tight building envelope, and LED lighting. Natural cross ventilation is achieved throughout and the majority of windows face to the North to reduce heat gain.

New Orleans, LA