The site orientation, setbacks, and program dictated a compact, intensely utilized volume to achieve an open flow within the interior spaces but also maintain a high degree of privacy and separation. The design response is based on the idea of a classic urban villa - strong street edge and public presence with a progression of spaces opening to an private urban scale garden and adapts it to both the site and the pair of dwellings. Facing the street are large translucent ‘bay windows’, providing both softened natural daylight throughout most of the interior and the framing for an open stairwell. Beyond the stair, the living/dining areas and the garden are treated as one large unified space, with only a clear plane of glass separating.  This sense of progression from a defined urban edge to a garden domain exists on each level; cars enter down a half level into secure parking, where an extension of the rear terraces lead up steps to each private garden.

Both the wall and floor structures are poured concrete incorporating (ICF) insulated concrete forms for high thermal and acoustic performance. The bay window is extruded polycarbonate with UV/low emissive coatings and a prismatic diffusion layer which creates the characteristic glow throughout the interior. Exterior finish materials include poured concrete and stucco walls, slate roofing, and galvanized steel fittings and trim — all selected to weather with a compatible chromatic character.

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