WEDGE
HOUSE: The truncated wedge shape was inspired by the lot dimensions - see
lot plan below. A young couple acquired the 'unbuildable lot' for a song -
approached Plum Design - this was the creative solution. The hillside lot
has 15 ft. of rock at road level with the unaccessible remainder 26 ft. below.
The narrow point of the house plus walkway to the entrance was anchored to
the rock cliff top, while the rest of the house was suspended 26 ft. in the
air on metal posts set on large concrete pads below - see cross section drawing.
The roof deck compensates for the lack of outside living space and encourages
gardening in containers. Hose taps and electrical outlets are provided on
the roof deck. The need for a recessed under cover front door, plus a kitchen
deck to house a gas fired barbeque, led to the addition of small wedge shaped
extrusions on the sides of the second floor. The 'L' shaped stairs, and square
sunroom on the roof deck level, made the inclusion of the offset square tower
a natural choice. The metal awning attached to the sunroom protrudes over
the deck sides and is visible from below - provides balance.
lot
plan
SW
view
FIRST
FLOOR: 765 sq, ft. The living space extends under the stairs to two 3 ft.
square windows (see interior photograph) and one looks across the kitchen
to the dining room. The 8 ft. pantry closet backing onto the entrance deck
compensates for no overhead kitchen closets. There's a 4 ft telphone desk
space next to the pantry closet. The see through stairs are welded metal with
hardwood steps inserted into the metal step pans.
SECOND
FLOOR: 845 sq. ft. There are two bedrooms and two bathrooms with a 2 ft. square
sky light in the passage leading the bedroom #1. At the top of the first flight
of stairs is a computer desk while the undercounter washer and drier are in
the opposite corner close to a 4ft. linen closet. The hot water tank is placed
in a closet in the second bathroom. The alcove behind the door is for hanging
towels.
THIRD
FLOOR: 256 sq. ft. The sunroom has large windows facing onto the deck, and
one can look over the handrail to the first floor below (the location of an
air tight wood heater plus chimney if required). There's a cabinet with sink
in one corner. The glass door leading onto the deck is recessed to protect
it from the rain.
DESIGNER'S
COMMENTS: These blended geometric building blocks provide an eye catching
form, while the inside spaces with angled walls feel distinctly 'un-box-like'.
On a flat lot the Wedge House could be enhanced with the addition of a single
storied reversed wedge garage.
The
metal trellis connecting the wedge shaped garage to the house can be waterproofed
using a piece of plexiglass or tie-on canvass awning.
