House for Music and Literature | Durham, NC
| This project presented the challenge of transforming a tight corner lot into a spacious layout that includes a bright, sunlit home, a screen porch for greeting neighbors, a more private rear courtyard, a separate guest apartment, two off-street parking spots, and a workshop. Our solution wrapped the spaces around this private backyard escape to insulate it from the active neighborhood. Strategic openings can be adjusted to fit any occasion. Inside the home, spaces flow around the courtyard in a clever sequence that can be configured to accommodate lively parties or multiple quiet conversations. A glass wall can join the screened porch to the dining room, and the dining table can extend into the great room. The ceiling drops over the kitchen to create a cozier setting and adjust the acoustics. The inherent flexibility of the layout ensures everyone feels at home, regardless of the size of the gathering. The arrangement of spaces adapts seamlessly to different occasions.
| The heart of the home is the great room. It was crafted to hold larger groups of friends while still being able to make someone feel at home on a more tranquil evening of reading or listening to music.
THE GREAT ROOM
| The feature staircase obscures views of the living room while adding visual interest to the center of the home. A catwalk offers access to the primary suite offering views of the adjacent forested area through carefully placed corner windows.
FEATURE STAIRS
| The front-facing living room window wall offers a view of the street that balances openness with privacy. The strategically placed solar shade on this window moderates direct sunlight and mirrors the porches of neighboring homes.
PRIVACY
| The exterior detailing was designed to be durable and low-maintenance, with railings and solar shades that complement the look and feel of the main house while also being functional and visually appealing.
THOUGHTFUL DETAILS
| This home was built by BuildSense, Inc and designed by the team at BuildsSense Architecture, PC while Matthew was with the team and managed the design and construction process.