The design of the Split Box House elegantly addresses the challenge of a steep site by introducing a sustainable, minimalist house that harmonizes with the existing topography, fostering a serene indoor-outdoor living experience. The building's form evolves through a series of logical steps, simplifying the complex design considerations to clearly articulate the architectural expression. This approach aims to connect the immediate engagement of social media with the architect's deeper philosophical design decisions. By making the design process readily understandable, the house can resonate with a broader audience. The focus of the design is not about a grand gesture or historical reference, but rather on the clear communication of a sequence of thoughtful solutions.

 

The house begins with a simple, clean twenty-two-foot wide extruded box, a dimension chosen based on the distance a reasonable size wood truss can span. This structural decision eliminates the need for interior support walls, enabling an open floor plan. The length of the box, cut to the desired size based on the family's spatial needs, is then split into public and private volumes allowing for a clear delineation between functions. To optimize views of the adjacent woods, the private section is rotated ninety degrees around a sky-lit stair hall. Carefully integrated site walls cascade down the steep slope from the street, forming a terraced entrance garden that also serves as the visible foundation of the house.

 

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Status: Completed 2018

Awards:  2020 AIA South Atlantic Region Honor Award

               2019 SARA National Design Award of Excellence

               2019 Architecture MasterPrize Honorable Mention

               2019 AIA Georgia Honor Award

               2019 AIA Georgia People's Choice Award

               2018 AIA Atlanta Residential Merit Award