cranberry township addition

A hilltop site, an existing contemporary house, and a large program make for another exciting addition. This project entails addressing two differing site conditions. To the east is a steep hillside with an eastern view of the township. To the west, the flat backyard cut into a hillside demands equal attention. Finding a way to expand a house that does not easily accept an appendage has been something this firm has been exploring throughout its history. The solution is to build the addition separately with a thin link connecting the two structures. Although this model has been used before, it did arise from our site investigation.

The upper level is devoted to a large family room and a master bedroom suite. The lower level has an entertainment space, a bar, and a home gym. The first-floor office is interconnected to a joint loft office, which links the eastern and western conditions. It is the spatial stitch that traverses the strong axis and two levels.

The visual language is intended to harmonize with the existing house but was developed more as a response to the local site conditions and owner preferences. The project thus far has been developed primarily in sections as a series of varying layers that develop a spatial complexity of near and far conditions. The project remains unbuilt.

Project Type: Single Family House – Renovations and Additions
Project Size: Additions approximately 4,920 square feet (basement 2,178 SF; first floor 2,286 SF; second floor 456 SF)
Completion: 2015 (schematic design – unbuilt)