The prototype residence we envision for Syracuse is called R-House. R-House presents
an affordable, innovative paradigm for minimal energy consumption embodied in
architecture that nurtures the spirit and engages the community. Framed within its
iconic exterior are expansive and luminous spaces that require only the equivalent
energy of a hair dryer for heating. Its efficient plan can be tailored to meet the needs of
different families and is readily adapted as these needs change over time. Designed for
high economic and practical performance, R-House strengthens the physical and social
structure of the Near Westside neighborhood.
Landscape
Earth excavated from the foundation forms a landscape that grounds R-House to its
site. Enclosing the backyard, a berm planted with Little Bluestem, a native grass,
shelters the owner’s personal domain. A slight depression in the backyard can be
flooded and frozen for skating in the winter. Beside the house are located a terrace and
planting beds for a kitchen garden. At the street, a bed for perennials creates a soft
buffer between the sidewalk and the property.
Building Exterior
R-House transforms a typical gabled roof into a simply folded surface that recalls the
appearance and scale of neighboring houses. Tucked within the house are a front porch
and rear deck whose translucent walls cast an inviting glow after dark. Windows and
skylights open the interior to views and are optimized to receive south light. The roof
and walls are sheathed with corrugated aluminum. The silver color, muted reflectivity
and fine texture of this cladding contribute to a sense of vibrancy that counters the gray
winter months.
Interior
The interior is airy and bright. A two-story tall space on the south side of the house,
lit by large windows that open to a view of the rear yard, is bounded by the stairwell
and the Master Bedroom on the second floor. Humble, carefully detailed materials,
such as concrete, wood floor boards and plywood panels, imbue warmth and integrity.
Translucent polycarbonate panels cover the east wall of the bedrooms, creating a soft,
luminous boundary between the “private” and “public” areas of the house. The stair rail
and kitchen island, made from the same material, are backlit to illuminate the interior.
SUSTAINABILITY
R-House is a significant opportunity to demonstrate the successful application of
innovative, proven building and environmental strategies in Syracuse’ cold climate. The
design meets the German Passivhaus ultra-low energy standard. This standard utilizes
an extremely well insulated exterior, airtight construction, an efficient heating system,
controlled ventilation and windows that optimize solar gain. Sustainable construction
materials are used throughout the house. The project’s green design features are more
fully described in the technical evaluation form.
R-House’s adaptability to different needs over time is fundamental to its sustainability.
It is designed to grow from a two bedroom to a three or four bedroom house simply by
extending the second floor over the living space. One variation of the design includes a
rental unit, which further enhances its economic viability. Based on the Near Westside
market, this additional rental income provides financial sustainability for its owner.
COMMUNITY
The scale and form of R-House engage the diversity of the existing housing stock, which
includes one- and two-story structures of different styles. In transforming the gabled
roof typology, our design provides a vision for the neighborhood that is both familiar
and progressive. The design’s intrinsic flexibility to accommodate multiple site, size
and layout variations makes R-House attractive to a range of individual owners and
facilitates its widespread implementation throughout the Near Westside. The durability
of the design and superior energy efficiency, made affordable due to the simplicity
of form and modesty of materials, make R-House a vital tool for building a resilient
community.
Architecture Research Office, Stephen Cassell and Adam Yarinsky, Principals; Megumi Tamanaha, Associate; Design
team: Melissa Eckerman, Jane Lea, Neil Patel, Anne-Marie Singer
Della Valle Berheimer , Andrew Bernheimer and Jared Della Valle, Partners; Garrick Jones, Associate; Design team: Lara Shihab Eldin, Janine Soper
Transsolar Climate Engineering, David White, Senior Engineer and Project Manager
Guy Nordenson and Associates Structural Engineers, Guy Nordenson, Principal; Brett Schneider, Associate
Stuart-Lynn Company, Inc. Cost Estimators, Breck Perkins, Principal; Team members: Daniel Edelstein, Denis Vasin
Coen + Partners, Landscape Architects, Shane Coen, Principal