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1st place
IBI Group – Gruzen Samton

1st Place Winners

The design concept allows for flexible space to accommodate the occupants’ changing needs and individual preferences. Lightweight, easy-to-slide partitions can make the space marketable by allowing the occupant to change the space as needed, whether they need the space for a certain need or they would like to have a larger gathering space.

The kitchen is the life of the house. It is the pivot point, between public and private. The renovation provides adequate space for movement and storage at convenient locations and levels for people with varying needs and abilities. It can accommodate a family of various sizes and compositions. If the household becomes an “empty nest”, private spaces of the house can be adapted to become part of the semi-public spaces of the home and provide a large and flexible common space.

The garden can be used by people with diverse abilities and generations. The family has their private garden in the back as an extension of the kitchen, where they have the possibility to incorporate their gardening as a daily and communal social activity.

The project provides the opportunity to enhance daily activities such as bathing, and cooking, eating, and socializing. It can adapt to the needs and desires of family members and visitors. By adding ‘flexible furniture’ the space can adapt easily and provide the user with a variety of compositions that respond to different stages in their lives.

Construction cost is optimized by enhancing the areas of the house that support daily activities, without requiring costly renovations later. The kitchen and main bathroom enhance both public and private aspects to provide a rich experience for common daily activities. Low maintenance exterior materials will make weekly home care easier and long-term replacement costs lower.

To maintain low monthly utility costs, the design incorporates passive strategies to cool down and decrease the amount of energy needed to maintain the house in a comfortable state. The kitchen/dining area can easily be opened to allow for cross ventilation. A shading system is incorporated and designed to reduce direct solar heat gain into the home, as well as to provide the users with a flexibility to maintain a certain level of privacy and security. Cost savings on the electric bill will be enhanced with the photovoltaic panels located along the carport structure.

The design concept allows for flexible space to accommodate the occupants’ changing needs and individual preferences. Lightweight, easy-to-slide partitions can make the space marketable by allowing the occupant to change the space as needed, whether they need the space for a certain need or they would like to have a larger gathering space.

The kitchen is the life of the house. It is the pivot point, between public and private. The renovation provides adequate space for movement and storage at convenient locations and levels for people with varying needs and abilities. It can accommodate a family of various sizes and compositions. If the household becomes an “empty nest”, private spaces of the house can be adapted to become part of the semi-public spaces of the home and provide a large and flexible common space.

The garden can be used by people with diverse abilities and generations. The family has their private garden in the back as an extension of the kitchen, where they have the possibility to incorporate their gardening as a daily and communal social activity.

The project provides the opportunity to enhance daily activities such as bathing, and cooking, eating, and socializing. It can adapt to the needs and desires of family members and visitors. By adding ‘flexible furniture’ the space can adapt easily and provide the user with a variety of compositions that respond to different stages in their lives.

Construction cost is optimized by enhancing the areas of the house that support daily activities, without requiring costly renovations later. The kitchen and main bathroom enhance both public and private aspects to provide a rich experience for common daily activities. Low maintenance exterior materials will make weekly home care easier and long-term replacement costs lower.

To maintain low monthly utility costs, the design incorporates passive strategies to cool down and decrease the amount of energy needed to maintain the house in a comfortable state. The kitchen/dining area can easily be opened to allow for cross ventilation. A shading system is incorporated and designed to reduce direct solar heat gain into the home, as well as to provide the users with a flexibility to maintain a certain level of privacy and security. Cost savings on the electric bill will be enhanced with the photovoltaic panels located along the carport structure.

For more information
on this winning design, contact Helen Malani at
hmalani@nnwa.us

Emily Andersen

Gabriel Espinoza Associate AIA

Gabriel is a Junior Architect at IBI Group – Gruzen Samton and Project Lead for the competition. He graduated in May 2015 with a Professional Bachelor in Architecture from Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. After receiving his degree, he moved to New York where he is currently involved in various projects including housing, hospitality, and education. As a young architect in IBI Group he continues to grow professionally and he is on his path to becoming a licensed architect.

Emily Andersen

Carmen Velez Associate AIA, LEED Green Associate

Carmen worked at IBI Group – Gruzen Samton during the completion of their entry for the competition. She is currently pursuing an interest in aviation at a different firm. Her professional experience includes Education, Residential, and Retail. She received her Bachelor of Architecture with a minor in Environmental Studies and Sustainability from New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Emily Andersen

Timothy Gargiulo Associate AIA, LEED Green Associate

Timothy is currently a Junior Architect at IBI Group – Gruzen Samton in New York City. He received his Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Master in Architecture with a focus in Ecological Practices from the University at Buffalo. His professional experience includes Education, Transportation and Commercial projects.

IBI Group – Gruzen Samton

44 Wall St.
New York, NY 10005

www.gruzensamton.com