Westbrook住宅丨美国奥斯汀丨Alterstudio Architecture

Westbrook住宅为德克萨斯州奥斯汀战后扩张的郊区提出了一种新的建造模式。项目顺应这个曾经低调街区的人口变化，同时保留了其低矮平缓的建筑特征。在这个所有物业几乎都在最大化容积率（FAR）的社区中——无论是通过压倒性的加建，还是尺度庞大的新建项目——这座建筑面积为3,494平方英尺的住宅却以其低调的街道呈现保持了邻里的历史尺度。与此同时，建筑细致入微的构造语言，也赋予了其与当下价值更契合的当代表达。通过拥抱更低的建蔽率，住宅以一种将居住者沉浸在自然中的方式布置，让人们与围绕建筑的花园形成持续互动。

The Westbrook Residence proposes an alternative model for building in the sprawling post-war suburbs of Austin, Texas. It embraces the changing demographics of this once-modest neighborhood without losing its low-slung character.  In a neighborhood where every property is maximizing its allowed FAR (floor area ratio)—either through overwhelming additions or immodest new buildings—the 3,494-square-foot home’s modest scale and demeanor from the street maintains the historic scale of the neighborhood, while its carefully constructed presence allows for an updated disposition more in keeping with its newfound value. In embracing this lower ratio of building to garden, the home is positioned such that its inhabitants live immersed in nature, engaging the different gardens that encircle the building.

▼沿街立面，facade along the street © Casey Dunn

四个石砌体量围绕一个中央起居空间展开，该空间向周边景观开放。公共区域被定义为这些体块之间的夹缝空间，采用了落地现场玻璃窗和统一的连续天花板。石砌体块则由石灰岩砖和钢制开口定义，营造出亲密的空间感。悬于夹缝之上的体量由钢板包覆，顶部的“光井”将意想不到的光线与视野引入内部，为空间注入活力。

▼分析图，analysis diagram © Alterstudio Architecture

Four masonry volumes coalesce around a central living area, that in turn opens onto the adjacent landscapes. Public spaces are defined as the area in-between, with floor-to-ceiling, site-glazed windows, and under a continuous ceiling, while the masonry volumes are delineated in limestone bricks and steel openings—creating a sense of intimacy. Above and enclosing the in-between space is another volume, clad in steel; light chimneys cut into this volume activate the space, providing an unexpected source of light and view.

▼面向花园的立面，facade facing the courtyard © Casey Dunn

▼建筑体量，volume of the architecture © Casey Dunn

▼入口台阶，entrance steps © Casey Dunn

▼入口玄关，entrance area © Casey Dunn

住宅采用两种相对的方式来划分内部空间：石砌体量定义了亲密的封闭房间，而它们之间的夹缝空间则是一个自由流动、与自然直接连接的公共区域。这样一来，家庭成员便在一种“前现代”与“现代”的生活状态间穿梭，因心境所至，在不同空间中安然落定。

Additionally, the residence is composed of two contrasting ways in which interior rooms are delineated. The masonry volumes define intimate, enclosed rooms, distinct from their adjacencies, while simultaneously defining a dynamic, free-flowing public space in-between that connects directly to the out-of-doors. As a consequence, the family lives here moving between a pre-modern and modern world, settling into a particular space as the appropriate mood takes hold.

▼面向花园庭院的明亮生活，bright living space facing the courtyard © Casey Dunn

▼开放式生活空间，open living space © Casey Dunn

▼客厅，living space © Casey Dunn

▼走廊，hallway © Casey Dunn

▼餐厅，dining room © Casey Dunn

▼厨房，kitchen © Casey Dunn

▼木制格栅，wooden grille © Casey Dunn

将功能分布在一层的合理尺度住宅中，不仅为这户家庭提供了“原地养老”的可能，也确保他们在自然环绕中，与邻里和奥斯汀市的城市配套保持亲密联系。尽管该街区的地产价值仍将持续上升，新建筑不断取代旧房，但Westbrook住宅希望成为未来发展的范例——让花园多于建筑，让生活既亲近自然，也亲邻而居。

The distribution of program into a reasonable-sized home on one floor invites this family to age in place, surrounded by nature and in close proximity to neighbors as well as the amenities of the city of Austin.  While the value of this neighborhood will continue to rise and new houses replace existing ones, the hope is that the home might provide a model for future development; where garden is more present than building, and inhabitants are able to live immersed in nature as well as adjacent to neighbors.

▼夜景，night view © Casey Dunn

▼总平面图，master plan © Alterstudio Architecture

▼平面图，plans © Alterstudio Architecture

▼剖面图，sections © Alterstudio Architecture

Westbrook Residence

Austin, Texas

Alterstudio design team

Kevin Alter, Partner

Ernesto Cragnolino, Partner

Tim Whitehill, Partner

Will Powell, Project Architect

Michael Woodland, Project Architect

Shelley McDavid, Project Architect

Haifa Hammami, Interiors

Project Team

Architecture and Interior Design: Alterstudio Architecture

Contractor: Wilde Custom Homes

Structural Engineer: MJ Structures

Landscape Architect: Shademaker Studio

Photography: Casey Dunn