Surber Barber Choate & Hertlein

Private Residence

Atlanta, GA

The Scope:

4,900 sq ft private residence for a family of four, located in a suburban neighborhood approximately 15 miles north of Atlanta. An existing house occupying the site was removed with the exception of its swimming pool which was retained and incorporated into the new project.

The Project Goals:

The clients who commissioned the new residence desired a simple design that would support clutter-free living. They desired clean, light-filled spaces with views out to nearby wooded terrain. Their rather typical programmatic requirements included a living & dining area; kitchen & family gathering area; four bedrooms with dedicated bathrooms; a study; a garage; and a recreation room for their children.

The Architect's Solution:

Functional zoning:

The programmatic functions are separated into zones of public, semi-public, and private use. These zones are arranged around the existing swimming pool, spiraling in a rectangular helix from the elevated roof deck down through the living spaces to the poolside recreation room. The architectural massing reflects this organization with the form of the private portion being most solid, and the public living areas being more transparent.

Abstract form:

Both inside and out, abstract white forms and surfaces are knitted together with linear black elements. In particular, a horizontal mullion is employed as a datum at 8 feet above floor level to provide a reference to human scale.

On the front of the house, a focal element of the composition is the cantilevered study which extends 18 feet forward. As it hovers between floor levels it is a perpendicular counterpoint to the relatively wide front facade, serving to accentuate the depth of the site.

The minimal palette of exterior materials is limited to white stucco; black metal components; and a black anodized aluminum glazing system. Interiors are limited to gypsum board walls (painted white), with the exception of the wall finishes within the central living & dining room area, where the stucco from the exterior is continued inside, providing a subtle textural variation contrasting with the smoother forms on the ceiling. Clear maple flooring is used throughout the interior.

The abstraction of architectural form is reinforced by detailing devoid of trim or decoration, providing a simple and clean backdrop for the inhabitants.

All Images © Rion Rizzo, Creative Sources Photography