Details
Credits
From Neumann Monson Architects
Located on the small 41' by 95' site of the former historic landmark Van Patten House, the project consists of first level retail space and 36 micro-units on floors 2-7.
This building provides a new type of housing for the city's growing number of young professionals and single grad-students who want to live in the center of downtown. Inspired by Carmel Place in New York City, the building offers two micro-unit sizes - (24) 284 sqft units and (12) 474 sqft units. The fully furnished units feature smart storage solutions and flexible furniture systems. High ceilings and oversized windows create a sense of spaciousness. Additional amenities for residents include a rooftop gathering space with individual planting beds, a compact coffee bar in the first floor lobby, and storage units in the basement. A rooftop photovoltaic array offsets energy needed to power common areas.
The building is clad with a gradient pattern of pre-weathered and natural zinc panels, with black porcelain tile at the east entry. The zinc panel mosaic shifts over the course of the day, as incident sunlight coaxes varying degrees of specularity in the material. The sheen of the natural panels will weather over time to aesthetically evolve along with the ever-changing Iowa City downtown.