LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN RESIDENCE

This house was created as an experimental prototype for building on very narrow hillside properties that city building departments sometimes judge to be inappropriate for development. The tight dimensional restrictions of the 25' x 100' site led to a design that is compact, rectilinear and tall. Containing 1,700 square feet of living space the house includes two bedrooms, a mezzanine office/guest room and three baths.

The architecture attempts to dramatize the tight restrictions. The upper living level is set off from the lower base by a contrasting copper cladding and a 5 degree shift in geometry. Facing the rear yard a projecting wood trellis extends the space defined by the house into the surrounding greenery. On the interior the primary living spaces are made as open as possible to counter the restrictiveness of the building's overall footprint.

This exploration serves as a graphic illustration that very livable single family houses providing value to both the homeowner, as well as to the community, can be created on very small properties.

Photographer: Tom Bonner