Building Project - House for Two Mothers
Yale Building Project Selected Scheme
with Soraya Ammann, Nick Arvanitis, Mariah Langlois, Kewei Li, Owen Wang
yale Building Project
critics: Alexander Kruhly and Beka Sturges
Spring 2023
Fair Haven, CT
Performative Model
Every year, Yale M.Arch I first years design and construct a house for a deserving family in New Haven. We were divided into twelve teams of 5-6 students and tasked with proposing a scheme for the first in a series of five houses for teachers at Friends Center for Children, a quaker early childhood education center in Fair Haven. Our challenge was to fit two families - typically one single mother with 1-2 children - into a single-family zoned lot that permits only one kitchen.
Inspired by Friends Center for Children’s commitment to the Quaker values of “SPICES” - simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equity, and stewardship - we chose to weave those values into our design.
Peace is prioritized through the separation of private and public spaces, providing ample personal living areas for each family. Equity is ensured through equal proportion of space on both upper and lower levels, with diverse experiences for different lifestyles. Community is fostered through communal spaces, such as a generous kitchen and a light-filled foyer. Integrity is reflected in the design’s consideration of ease of construction, cost effectiveness, and sustainability with features like a green roof. Stewardship is maintained through careful attention to construction elements and safety for children. Simplicity is embraced in the overall design, by adopting a familiar form that fits into the surrounding landscape.
First Floor Plan
Renderings
Sections
Model
House Exterior
House Interior