Project Description
Standing for more than a hundred years, the Herman Avenue House was found in the midst of a mountain of issues, in desperate need of renovation. At the point of commission, it had already undergone numerous maintenance and management throughout the course of its existence, facing the architect with a great deal of challenges – cluttered structure, ambiguous layout, and a tree of over 10 ft in the backyard. The entire ground floor was composed of multiple small rooms with a narrow alley, making the overall space and layout of the building ambiguous and ineffective. Even worse, the partitioned basement formulated a clustered, unlit, almost inhabitable space, discouraging any active use of space other than occasional laundry and storage. The backyard was inhabited by a tall pine tree, inconveniently located adjacent to the building. The removal of tree was an unaffordable, lengthy process that wasn’t an option. In addition to the architectural challenges, the vague request of client to create flexible and adaptable space for the undetermined future tenant challenged the overall layout of the house. Ultimately, the renovation of Herman Avenue House was oddly more about elimination than addition. Not only the partitioned rooms were demolished to merge into one, a charming brick wall was exposed during the removal of drywall, leaving the architect in awe and inspired to change her plan. The living room now embraces the historical charm of exposed brick wall that breathes with modernity. The rust-tinted brick wall, along with hardwood flooring, adds warmth to the living room by juxtaposing with tranquil, grey-toned wall. The contrast between these walls is soothed by the interior garnished with simple, modern furniture. Due to the limited budget and tight schedule, which always happens in architecture, the existing stairwell addition to the basement was dismantled, instead of relocating the tree, to open up more space at the backyard and built a pressure-treated wooden deck. The tree no longer acts as an obstacle but a parasol for people to gather around and interact. Intended for the future potential tenant, the Herman Avenue manifests aesthetic appearance, flexibility, functionality and adaptability in space, especially in the basement. A large, open room is well-lit with warm wooden planks, making it suitable for virtually any kind of activity – dancing, yoga, home theatre, office. The Herman Avenue House, by overcoming the challenges faced, embody how the building is supposed to function while reinforcing the idea of spatiality. Its enhanced functionality and flexibility in space expands the daily experience of human movement through coherent circulation. The preservation of a tree and upgraded layout of the house further grasp the appreciation of sustainable design.