PHILADELPHIA: LAND OF NARROW LOTS

Philadelphia is famous for its narrow lots. As the birthplace of freedom, as well as the rowhome, Philadelphia is full of residential neighborhoods that are packed with residential lots stacked together side-to-side. Housing units built on these modestly sized properties (commonly only 14’-16’ wide) usually benefit from the relative ease of construction and energy efficiency, but as size and program requirements increase (along with property lengths that can accommodate), design challenges arise when attempting to introduce daylight to the core of the building.

ZIG-ZAG ORIGINAL

The front of these 4 Fishtown townhouses uses a diagonal zig-zag design move to mimic the geometry of a corner lot and increase the effective façade area, allowing for extra daylighting opportunities and for capturing direct sun at different times of the day. This sawtooth pattern at the primary façade results in an angled interior space in the front that functions as a triple-height atrium and stairwell and allows daylight to penetrate deep into the core of these long and narrow townhouses. This vertical space oriented to the South of the site functions as an interior privacy buffer and serves as a visual organizational tool to connect the common spaces with the circulation. The full-height atrium is interrupted only by diagonal landings that communicate with large skyline-facing picture windows and is capped by a large circular skylight above. A cozy 2nd-floor home office and a dramatic 3rd-floor primary bath overlook the entry foyer below.
These townhouse units prioritize pedestrian safety at the sidewalk level. Solar canopy carports behind the homes provide the project’s only off-street parking; this hidden parking zone is accessible only via a secluded rear alley. Large eye-level windows at the ground floor level ensure two-way visibility for security. Each home is equipped with an integrated and concealed utility meter closet and package drop in the building’s brick façade that is accessed from the oversized entry landing. A shared at-grade tunnel alley from the sidewalk to the rear yard allows for easy transportation and storage of bicycles and other urban gear.