Episodic Spontaneity | New Construction | Completed 2020
Nestled at the end of a cul-de-sac within a suburban setting. A 17,000 square foot residence lays out horizontally across two plots of land. The house is configured as three distinct volumes which are intersected by a fourth volume which we call the spine. The functions planned within the three volumes are “Eat”, “Sleep”, & “play”, while the spine acts as circulation between the various functions.
Ethereality founder: Christian Steixner's role on the project began as a project designer then transitioning to job captain during the production of the construction documents. He ran the construction administration for the job where he attend weekly Owner Architect and Contractor meetings as well as wrote weekly field observation reports.
This project was designed by ODP Architects. The project team includes Lead Architect: Kurt Dannwolf, the Project Manager: Xio Munoz, and two Project Designers: Michael Flores and Christian Steixner. Engineering designed by Bryntesen Structural Engineers. Stair fabrication by NK Woodworking and Design. Above rendition done by Lunas Inc.
As seen in the longitudinal section drawing which cuts through the spine of the house, the spaces along the circulation path are of themselves event spaces. The hallway leading to the master suite towards the left of the drawing has an ascending ceiling that reveals clerestory windows letting in plenty of daylighting. As the spine roof descends towards the right of the drawing, the second level footpath ends over a double height space where a feature stair leads the occupant down to the ground floor.
As seen in the construction image under the section drawing, the spine of the house is accentuated by continuous glazed windows which appear to pierce and be embedded within solid volumes.
Within the middle volume of the house between both ends of the spine, a staircase is designed as yet another stand out feature of the house. The form of the stair contrasts the rigid geometry of the exterior but flowing as one continuous band. The design team worked closely with a digital fabrication millworker to make the design come to reality.
The stair was fabricated off-site and strategies needed to be designed around how to transport and place the stair in place. The maple veneered sculpture weighing approximately 15,000 pounds was built upon a steel skid. This skid served as a base for the stair during transportation as well as a way to lift the entire stair once it was delivered to the site.
The glazing planned around the mid-landing of the feature stair was coordinated with the builder to be the last glazing to be furnished to allow for the stair to be lifted into the house. A tie beam at the sill of the glazing was also left unfurnished in order for the fork lift to maneuver into the space as seen in the photo above.
A pit in the slab was specifically designed so that when the skid was lowered down to the ground a flush transition would exist between the top of the skid and the surrounding first level floor. Concrete was subsequently placed within all the voids of the skid to receive the finish floor. It would not have been possible to remove the stair from the skid, early coordination in the design phase, knowledge of transportation methods, and communication between all trades was crucial in the success of the stair.
Embodying the episodic nature of the house, a second feature stair used parametric design to generate a surface which was then contoured into ribs acting as the guard railing for the stair while creating an experience of semi enclosure when walking within.
Consistency within an episodic house was done by maintaining a lose design structure of fluid interior features juxtaposed to a rigid building envelope. Not only is the interior architecture sculptural in there own presence, the procession of spaces which drastically change in spatial dimension, materiality, and light evoke an emotional response by the occupant.