363HOUSE

Client. A young family – Jessica, Todd and son Louie.

Two primary design mandates:

1. Provide a supportive, accessible living environment for Jessica – a C6/C7 quadriplegic, paralyzed from mid-chest down with limited use of arms and hands.
2. Provide an energy-efficient, sustainable living environment for a young family.

A small house (2,045 s.f.) was key, for environmental and fiscal reasons. A rigorous and thoughtful building program provides the essentials – three small bedrooms plus two studios (the residents work from home).  The building is a combination of three simple rectilinear volumes with three outdoor “rooms” – an entry court, rear patio, and roof-top terrace.

DESIGN & INNOVATION

• Basic building design and massing were developed and fine-tuned in response to detailed solar studies. Building envelope was carefully considered to optimize performance, constructability and low-maintenance.
• Accessibility goals support Jessica’s abilities and minimize barriers to an accessible life. Doing so required a skillful blend of universal design and accessibility principles.
• Overall, the result is “A New SustainABILITY” that promotes a healthy environment and supports the residents’ health and wellbeing.

REGIONAL COMMUNITY DESIGN

• The owner’s decision to build a home within the city of Portland was based on the belief that building in the city has a lasting impact on the local economy, strengthens the neighborhood’s social fabric, and is economically and environmentally desirable because it taps into existing infrastructure and resources – a sustainable alternative to the resource-intensive greenfield developments.
• The site allows for easy access to the heart of the city. Restaurants, local shops, public parks, and the University are all within walking distance.
• Established, mostly accessible neighborhood supports a socially and environmentally sustainable life for a young family.

LAND USE & SITE ECOLOGY

• Situated on a formerly vacant urban parcel, the project repairs the street edge and adds immediate density to a well established neighborhood, thus avoiding the environmental impact of developing suburban greenfields or productive farmlands.
• The site, a flat lot is bounded by houses on either side and synagogue pre-school in the back. Minimal building footprint maximizes use of a small lot and provides multiple opportunities for use and enjoyment of the site.
• Land use restrictions could have accommodated a one-story building, but would have resulted in very little useable exterior area, an important program requirement for Jessica and her family.  As a result, a two-story scheme was developed.  Second floor access is provided via a wheelchair lift.

363HOUSE provides a comfortable, nurturing environment for Jessica and her young family. Something that the architect (Jessica’s father) finds immensely gratifying!