Dorgenois Residence / Colectivo

Dorgenois Residence / Colectivo - WindowsDorgenois Residence / Colectivo - ForestDorgenois Residence / Colectivo - Image 4 of 30Dorgenois Residence / Colectivo - Sink, Countertop, WindowsDorgenois Residence / Colectivo - More Images+ 25

New Orleans, United States
  • Architects: Colectivo
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  1400 ft²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2016
  • Photographs
    Photographs:Michael Wong
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Huber Engineered, Western States Metal Roofing
  • Architect In Charge: Seth Welty
  • City: New Orleans
  • Country: United States
More SpecsLess Specs
Dorgenois Residence / Colectivo - Image 4 of 30
© Michael Wong

Text description provided by the architects. This project- a home in New Orleans-  was designed, built, and owned by the architects that worked on it. This was born partially out of a desire to explore less-traditional roles for architecture firms; partially to act as the guinea pigs for their own architectural ideas and whims, and partially out of the indulgence of using one’s own hands to build the work they design.  

Dorgenois Residence / Colectivo - Forest
© Michael Wong

The group purchased the substandard vacant lot in a public auction held by New Orleans’ Redevelopment Authority, with the stipulation that winning bidder had only 12 months to design, permit, build, and occupy on the little 30’ x 90’ lot. These restrictive timeline and design challenges were counterweighted by the endearing qualities of the dense, lively neighborhood and the lush, live oak lined street; each of which lended themselves to the site and massing strategy for the house.

Floor Plan

The broad design approach involved positioning the main living area on the upper floor to engage the tree canopy, providing a sense of cozy loftiness reminiscent of a child’s treehouse.   The lower volume has an exterior “carriageway” carved through the entire mass, creating covered outdoor space (the width and length based on the long linear tables used for communal crawfish boils) allowing a sense of extensiveness on the deceptively small lot.    

Dorgenois Residence / Colectivo - Windows, Stairs, Facade, Handrail
© Michael Wong

An interior double height volume is carved into the front of the house; affording deeper visual access to the upper tree canopy, and connecting the public areas on the ground floor to the semi-public area on the second.   A similar high volume was positioned in the rear of the house which gives a view into the high night sky when laying in bed in the evening.

Dorgenois Residence / Colectivo - Windows
© Michael Wong

The main mass of the building is positioned to align with and continue the streetfront edge established by the existing homes on the street. Through variance and negotiation with the City of New Orleans, the front stoop cantilevers beyond the property line in order to align with the historic stoop condition along the streetfront.

Diagram
Section

The building itself is a modest 1400 SF, and is arranged to operate as either a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home- or two smaller units (a 2 Bed / 1.5 Bath and 1 Bed / 1 Bath) unit to allow short and long term flexibility for the owners. 

Dorgenois Residence / Colectivo - Bathroom, Toilet, Sink, Shower
© Michael Wong

Project gallery

See allShow less
About this office
Cite: "Dorgenois Residence / Colectivo" 12 Jan 2018. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/884511/dorgenois-residence-colectivo> ISSN 0719-8884

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.