LIVE / WORK STUDIO

pittsburgh, pennsylvania

This new residence and office, located in the South Side neighborhood of Pittsburgh, is a reinterpretation of the traditonal Pittsburgh rowhouse. Built between two nineteenth century townhomes, this new live / work space incorporates an open floor plan including a kitchen, dining, living area on the first floor as well as a dramatic two-story skylit volume which connects these spaces visually to an open studio above. A second story glass bridge connects the public space of the studio to the private bedroom and bath. A remote controlled skylight over the dining space allows for abundant lighting during the day and provides for thermal cooling as well.

The interior material palette is a simple combination of maple (for floors, cabinetry, and windows), exposed concrete block (as parallel bearing walls), and drywall. The exterior materials respond to the residential and industrial neighborhood (corten steel, mahogany and asphalt shingles) and require limited maintenance.

An asian-inspired garden is directly accessed from the open living room; an upper level roof terrace provides dramatic views of the urban landscape.