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Project posted by WC STUDIO

The Prospect

View 12 Photos
Location
North End, Tacoma, Washington
Year
2016
Structure
House (Multi Residence)
Style
Modern
Steel stairs and planter boxes were welded by NR Fabrication. Perforations in the custom curtains continue the diagonal siding pattern at night. The rustling leaves of the birch tree provides privacy through white noise and screening.
Steel stairs and planter boxes were welded by NR Fabrication. Perforations in the custom curtains continue the diagonal siding pattern at night. The rustling leaves of the birch tree provides privacy through white noise and screening.
Light-filled studio apartments have 9'-0" ceilings, custom light fixtures, compact appliances, and polished black concrete floors. Concrete table by Studio Make.
Light-filled studio apartments have 9'-0" ceilings, custom light fixtures, compact appliances, and polished black concrete floors. Concrete table by Studio Make.
The open plan living level was located on the top floor to maximize light and views. Furnishings and artwork by Birdloft, RePly Furniture, Studio Make, and Minka Tacoma.
The open plan living level was located on the top floor to maximize light and views. Furnishings and artwork by Birdloft, RePly Furniture, Studio Make, and Minka Tacoma.
The 450-sf studio units feature built-in wardrobes and desks.
The 450-sf studio units feature built-in wardrobes and desks.
Except for the tall pantry and refrigerator block, the kitchen is open to the stair behind. A custom light fixture and hood hang above the butcher block countertop.
Except for the tall pantry and refrigerator block, the kitchen is open to the stair behind. A custom light fixture and hood hang above the butcher block countertop.
The project's signature pattern was milled into the 1" plywood railing panels.
The project's signature pattern was milled into the 1" plywood railing panels.
Innovative use of black coin rubber flooring at the backsplash.
Innovative use of black coin rubber flooring at the backsplash.
Simple bathrooms have vanities and integrally lit medicine cabinets from Ikea.
Simple bathrooms have vanities and integrally lit medicine cabinets from Ikea.
The front studio entrance is marked by grooved plywood with a black stain, a steel canopy, and white powder coated address signage from Modern House Numbers.
The front studio entrance is marked by grooved plywood with a black stain, a steel canopy, and white powder coated address signage from Modern House Numbers.
The design team relaxes in the courtyard. The stepping stone pavers were made from leftover black concrete used for the studio floors.
The design team relaxes in the courtyard. The stepping stone pavers were made from leftover black concrete used for the studio floors.
The top floor deck has views of Mount Rainier.
The top floor deck has views of Mount Rainier.

Details

Square Feet
3000
Lot Size
2500
Bedrooms
6
Full Baths
5

Credits

Posted by
Architect
Interior Design
Landscape Design
The Creative Gardener
Builder
Photographer
Steven Campagna
Publications
1889 Washington

From WC STUDIO

Located in a Central Tacoma neighborhood with a mix of single-family homes, apartment buildings, and the eclectic establishments of the Sixth Avenue Business District, the Prospect endeavors to set a new standard for urban livability and offers a fresh take on the four-plex.

The project features a pair of modern residential duplexes with a landscaped courtyard in between. Each building contains a ground floor studio/workspace and a two-bedroom dwelling unit above, totaling four dwelling units in about 3,000 square feet of living space. The Prospect provides superior quality in rental housing via thoughtfully planned layouts, elegant interiors crafted from simple materials, and living-level access to outdoor amenity space.

Splitting the project into two structures and keeping the building footprints small helps maintain privacy and a sense of spaciousness for residents and neighbors, despite the 25’ X 100’ lot dimensions and minimal setbacks. The central courtyard between the buildings also provides more opportunities for natural light, natural ventilation, and on-site storm water infiltration—all benefits for the environment as well as the residents and neighbors.

A distinct joint pattern in the Oculus aluminum panel rain screen paired with textured black plywood defines the project’s unique exterior expression, and manifests in several locations inside as well (hint: curtains, lighting, and railings). These purposeful identity markings serve to resonate with people inside and out, while adding diversity to the character of the street and neighborhood.

Although we have come to call this project The Prospect, it is actually to prospect (the verb) that inspired our diagonal pattern. Divining rods, a tool for prospecting, supposedly rotate to cross when sub-surface minerals are present. Regardless of the questionable science behind divining rods, it is accurate to say that bringing this project from concept to completion involved considerable exploration and discovery.