Designed by Distinctive Architecture, this inspiring residence is situated in Durham, North Carolina, United States.

Description by Bill Waddell
ESSENTIAL CLIENT REQUIREMENTS:
Primarily one-story living for the owner. 3 bedrooms, 21/2 baths, 3-car garage, storage area and a studio. Light-filled spaces with strong, angular forms. The appearance of “thickness” and expression of materiality and texture in building elements and finishes. Passive energy orientation (heating AND cooling). Ecologically sensitive site design and material selections. Gracious outdoor living areas. Thoughtful landscaping and integration into the site. No lawn areas.
THE SITE:
A left-over property considered undesirable due to its narrow and deep aspects, strong side slope relative to the street, and a stream with flood plain-like area. The south face of the lot is toward the street, which is the narrow dimension of the property. THE SOLUTION:
To create comfortable, light-filled spaces, and to afford a level of privacy from the street for the living and sleeping areas, the essential elements of the house were grouped into 3 pavilions: Living areas, Sleeping Areas and a Studio. The pavilions are connected via a circulation spine with views at each end and a centrally located stair. The side-slope of the lot was used to advantage to position the secondary bedrooms and garage/workshop on the lower level. The shape of each pavilion, with “butterfly” roofs that...