Z-Haus

Two attached row houses maximize a narrow urban lot with six offset rooms per unit arranged around a central service core and connected by half-flight stairs, allowing views through multiple levels while sliding wall panels provide flexible privacy.

Six Rooms - The Z-Haus consists of two attached row houses constructed on a 50’ x 100’ urban infill lot. The strategy was to build up rather than out to maximize outdoor living space and minimize the building footprint. Each house is made up of 6 rooms that are offset at every half-story and smoothly joined by a series of half-flight stairs. From any room one can simultaneously view the next level up and the level below, vertically unifying all living spaces. With one room per level, hallways are obsolete, and useable square footage is maximized. Sliding wall panels are used instead of conventional doors to maintain the free flow of space, provide privacy when needed and allow for changing family needs and size. This organization creates a zig-zagging pattern in the section view, hence the name Z-Haus.

Core - The six rooms are organized around a central core that contains the mechanical and plumbing functions of the house. The kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room, and mechanical room are located within this core. This central, stacked organization allows for a single vertical chase and for venting to occur through the roof leaving the skin pure, punctuated only by the recessed white window openings.