Birdhouse Residence Buffalo, NY House

Birdhouse Residence, Buffalo House, NY Real Estate, Home Design

Buffalo Residence, NY, USA : Birdhouse

Buffalo Residential Property, New York State home design by asap architects

page updated Aug 1, 2016 ; Oct 8, 2012

Location: Buffalo, New York, USA

Design: asap architects

Birdhouse Buffalo Buffalo residence Buffalo House Buffalo home
images : Adam Sokol

Birdhouse Residence, Buffalo

asap announces the completion of the “birdhouse” single family residence in Buffalo, New York, USA. Situated on an urban infill site, the house builds on Buffalo’s rich architectural heritage, with works by Frank Lloyd Wright and H.H. Richardson only steps away.

But rather than looking only to the past, the house offers a model for twenty-first century urban life, with a soaring interior space organized around views, nature and daylight. At the same time, the exterior respects the massing and rhythm of the historic neighborhood in which it is situated.

So as to fit into the urban context, the design began with the exterior volume of the house that previously occupied this site and burned down ten years ago. From this starting point, adjustments were made to accommodate programmatic priorities: one wall was angled back six degrees to improve daylight to the adjacent house; volumes were subtracted to accommodate a parking space, a porch and a terrace; and the ridge line was shifted off-center to capture the best possible view of Richardson’s monumental psychiatric center.

Buffalo Residence Buffalo House exterior
images : Shi Yanli

The house takes its name from its street, and like a bird cage, the house is a simple, open, vertical volume, where light filters down and offers a suggestion of flight. The interior space is organized as a spiral, where one is drawn continuously up by daylight and views. A large clerestory uses the slope of the roof to bounce afternoon light down and draw the view up.

At each turn, a critical view frames the surroundings, screening adjacent structures to create an illusory reinterpretation of the context. Partitions are minimized to create a sense of openness and continuity. The sequence culminates with the third floor view of Richardson’s towers, a connection to the past and an aspirational icon.

Buffalo real estate Birdhouse Buffalo home Birdhouse Buffalo property Birdhouse Buffalo residence
images : KC Kratti

The design eschews ostentatious materials in favor of simple finishes — polished concrete, birch plywood, plaster, and glass tile — so as to make the ever-changing daylight the focus of the space. The constant play of light on the interior surfaces is essentially the décor of the house, offering the opportunity to consider one’s place in the world and contemplate the passage of time.

Birdhouse Buffalo Buffalo House Buffalo real estate
images : asap architects

The house makes substantial use of environmentally-friendly materials and systems, such as abundant daylighting, passive heating and cooling and active thermal mass. Exterior finishes — locally produced composite recycled shingles and mahogany marine plywood — reference vernacular materials and Buffalo’s lakeside location.

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images : Adam Sokol

Buffalo House images / information from asap architects

asap – adam sokol architecture practice pllc are based in Buffalo, NY

Location: Silo City, Buffalo, USA

Architecture in Buffalo

Buffalo Architecture Designs – chronological list

Architecture Walking Tours in America – city walks by e-architect

American Architects

American Architecture

A recent Buffalo Building on e-architect:

Global Vascular Institute Buffalo, Niagara Medical Campus
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UB School of Architecture & Planning
UB School of Architecture & Planning : Architecture Events

Buffalo Bills Stadium, Orchard Park
Architecture: Populous, Architects
Buffalo Bills Stadium in Orchard Park, New York
image courtesy of architects practice
Buffalo Bills Stadium in Orchard Park

A famous Buffalo Building on e-architect:

Martin House
Design: Frank Lloyd Wright
Martin House Buffalo

New York State Architecture Designs

New York Building – Latest Designs

McGee Art Pavilion – School of Art and Design, Alfred University
Design: ikon.5 architects
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The Syracuse Center of Excellence in Energy and Environmental Systems
Design: Toshiko Mori Architect PLLC
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Westchester Community College Building
Design: Ennead Architects
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American University Buildings

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Website: Buffalo