Date:  June 30, 2010  |  

The Goal:

Build a new residence on a narrow site in the heart of downtown Fayetteville, making use of an open area between an existing structure and the Fayetteville Town Center. “The owners have lived in New York for many years, and wanted to bring the feeling of an urban living space to their home in Arkansas,” says architect Laleh Amirmoez, AIA.

What they did:

Designed a seven-story building that occupies a 30-by-60 foot plot of land. The lower levels serve as office space and the upper levels contain the residence, including a library mezzanine and a rooftop garden.

Creating an intriguing vertical structure while complementing the facades of the neighboring buildings was a priority for Amirmoez, who ultimately selected a combination of brick, metal panels and an exterior insulated finish system. “They reflect a mix of traditional and contemporary materials,” she says, “and relate well to the Town Center.” Wide windows featuring high performance glass and aluminum casings accent the exterior, while also infusing the home with natural light and framing views of downtown Fayetteville and the neighboring mountains.

Inside, cherry wood harvested from the homeowners’ farm on the outskirts of Fayetteville was used as a warm accent in the living spaces and as a focal point in a grand staircase connecting the levels. Stainless steel details complement the wood, highlighting the blend of traditional and contemporary elements Amirmoez worked into the design.

The biggest challenge:

Working with the city ordinances for building height, fire prevention and other codes, which involved incorporating extensive structural bracing, an elaborate sprinkler system and more.

Their favorite part:

Designing the façade to be three-dimensional. “Because the structure is very narrow and tall, we added some interest to the exterior by projecting out the walls in areas where the homeowners needed more space, like the living room,” says Amirmoez.

What the judges loved:

Phil Purifoy was intrigued by “the delicate balance in how the building is layered and massed.” Daniel Keeley admired the urban-living aspect. And all the judges applauded the infill approach to building on a vacant downtown site.

Design Resources

Architecture Amirmoez Foster Hailey Johnson, Fayetteville

Builder Crossland Construction, Fayetteville