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Architects: Atelier Waechter
- Area: 2800 ft²
- Year: 2008
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Photographs:Stephen Miller
Text description provided by the architects. With a design strategy to maximize outdoor living space and minimize building footprint, the Z-Haus, winner of 2010 AIA Portland Design Award - Built Citation, consists of two attached row houses constructed on a 50’ x 100’ urban infill lot. Atelier Waechter thoughtfully designed each house, made up of 6 rooms that are offset at every half story and smoothly joined by a series of half flight stairs. More photographs and drawings of this award winning project following the break.
From any room one can simultaneously view the next level up and the level below, vertically unifying all living spaces. With one room per level, hallways are obsolete and useable square footage is maximized. Sliding wall panels are used instead of conventional doors to maintain the free flow of space, provide privacy when needed and allow for changing family needs and size. This organization creates a zig-zagging pattern in section view, hence the name Z-Haus.
The six rooms are organized around a central core that contains the mechanical and plumbing functions of the house. Kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room and mechanical room are located within this core. This central, stacked organization allows for a single vertical chase and for venting to occur through the roof leaving the skin pure, punctuated only by the recessed white window openings.
