Entry number: ie08006
Project Name: Townhome Interior
Building Type: Residential
Completion Date: Unknown
Architect: Hawkins and Associates
Building Location: 840 Center St., Reno, NV 89502

Design Team:
General Contractor: MB Construction
Interior Designer: Hawkins and Associates
Photographer: Ruckus Arts
Lighting Designer: Light and Space
Steel Fabricator: Tutto Ferro
Cabinetry: Wilborn Woodworking

Project Description:
The interiors for this project, a small 1000 sf town home, were for an "empty nest" couple who were interested in downsizing. The concept was to create a space that was minimal, uncluttered, warm, and restful. Emphasis was placed on the detailing and honest expression of the structure and materials. Also, an important aspect was the functional requirements of living in a small space and maximizing the opportunities of the space and making the space feel larger than the actual area.

The solution was a very direct and pragmatic approach of using cabinetry to solve the functional problem of living in a small space and desiring an uncluttered aesthetic. The cabinetry was custom designed, utilizing a warm steamed beech wood that unifies the space. Some of the functional requirements solved by the cabinetry included kitchen cabinetry, built in laundry, and various storage solutions. Also, a major shift in the program of the townhome converted the 3rd story sleeping loft to a private reading/relaxing space and a Murphy bed allowed the occupants to have the master bed in the living room space. This makes the entire space appear and function larger than its small square footage. Again, cabinetry solved this design problem. Also, the ground floor has a detached guest suite. The clients wanted a small home office as well as a guest bedroom. Again, a built-in desk and floor to ceiling cabinetry solved the functional requirements and added needed warmth to the space. Cabinetry also solved the problems of a very tight closet/laundry space. The custom cabinetry in this space houses: laundry hamper, laundry sundries, built-in ironing board, and custom dresser. Also, six feet of closet length was doubled by using a pull-down clothing rod manufactured by Hafele.

The clients had a desire to have materials expressed honestly and be minimally detailed. There is no base board or trim anywhere in the residence. The base was handled with a small aluminum "Fry" reglet detail. The palette of materials was limited to warm woods, glass, and hot rolled steel, in the dry walled shell. A custom steel stair to the loft was designed to be minimal and sculptural. It is integrated and anchored to the kitchen cabinetry. The kitchen cabinetry forms the first five risers. Every square inch is used under the stairs for additional storage. Glass sliders are used extensively for functional and privacy divisions throughout the space, allowing natural light to filter between spaces.

Sustainability Description:
This project exemplifies sustainable living. First of all, the size of the townhome at just under 1000 sf is remarkable in the era McMansions, for two working professionals in their late 40's with two college-age children. The townhome has radiant heating in both the concrete floors as well as the wood-framed floor. The radiant heating and all other domestic hot water is supplied by a gas-fired instantaneous hot water heater. The heating is supplemented by a 4'x10' hot water solar panel that provides 85%-90% of all heating requirements. The residence also incorporates good passive solar design with most of the glazing facing south. The sun penetrates deep into the space in the winter to heat up the thermal mass in the concrete slabs and is kept off the glazing in the summer with a large protective roof overhang. Cooling is achieved with one in-wall evaporative cooler.