South Side Courtyard House Pool Pavilion & Landscape / studio d'ARC

South Side Courtyard House Pool Pavilion & Landscape / studio d'ARC - Exterior PhotographySouth Side Courtyard House Pool Pavilion & Landscape / studio d'ARC - Interior Photography, Dining room, Table, Windows, Chair, DoorSouth Side Courtyard House Pool Pavilion & Landscape / studio d'ARC - Interior Photography, KitchenSouth Side Courtyard House Pool Pavilion & Landscape / studio d'ARC - Exterior PhotographySouth Side Courtyard House Pool Pavilion & Landscape / studio d'ARC - More Images+ 9

Pittsburgh, United States
  • Architects: studio d'ARC
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  3700 ft²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2018
  • Photographs
    Photographs:Alexander Denmarsh
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  BLUDOT, Kohler, McNeel, Nemetschek, Optimum Steel Windows, Toto, York Building Products
  • Lead Architect: Gerard Damiani
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South Side Courtyard House Pool Pavilion & Landscape / studio d'ARC - Exterior Photography
© Alexander Denmarsh

Text description provided by the architects. This pavilion and landscape complement a previously commissioned adaptive re-use of an urban roofing fabrication shop into a single-family courtyard house located in the urban South Side neighborhood of Pittsburgh. The purpose of the project was to complement an already existing series of landscape spaces established in the earlier development of the residence with other recreational uses. Through the purchase of two small adjacent properties, a new outdoor area contains a series of activity zones that comprise a recreational precinct. The overall site boundaries are defined by a series of polished concrete block walls that delineate both the landscape space and the street edge as well as contain pool equipment and a changing/restroom.

South Side Courtyard House Pool Pavilion & Landscape / studio d'ARC - Exterior Photography, Facade
© Alexander Denmarsh

The existing concrete wall of the courtyard house is lined by a series of Hornbeam trees that act as a shaded edge overlooking the swimming pool and contain within them a weathered steel entry vestibule leading to the main residence. These trees, when matured, will be trimmed to define a spatial bosque similar to a formal garden. An in-ground trampoline ends the landscape zone along with a series of steel gabions at the street edge that contains limestone and sedum planting.

South Side Courtyard House Pool Pavilion & Landscape / studio d'ARC - Interior Photography, Dining room, Table, Windows, Chair, Door
© Alexander Denmarsh

South Side Courtyard House Pool Pavilion & Landscape / studio d'ARC - Interior Photography, Kitchen
© Alexander Denmarsh

A pool pavilion containing a modest seating area and bar has direct views of the landscape zone and the adjoining swimming pool with which it is on-axis. The cube-like massing of the pavilion reflects the volumetric properties of the two-story living room found within the residence. Photovoltaic panels are used to offset the required energy consumption for the pool heater and other power requirements.

South Side Courtyard House Pool Pavilion & Landscape / studio d'ARC - Exterior Photography
© Alexander Denmarsh
South Side Courtyard House Pool Pavilion & Landscape / studio d'ARC - Exterior Photography, Facade
© Alexander Denmarsh

The pool pavilion continues to define the landscape by engaging its back wall with a half-court basketball court. Two round roof scuppers drain roof water into the basketball court that in the winter months help to compose the façade with long forming icicles. Additionally, the concrete surface of the basketball court can be flooded to become a skating rink allowing recreational activities to continue year-round.

South Side Courtyard House Pool Pavilion & Landscape / studio d'ARC - Exterior Photography
© Alexander Denmarsh

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Project location

Address:Pittsburgh, PA, United States

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "South Side Courtyard House Pool Pavilion & Landscape / studio d'ARC" 08 Sep 2020. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/947192/south-side-courtyard-house-pool-pavilion-and-landscape-studio-darc> ISSN 0719-8884

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