Texas Architect

The Envelope

PROJECT The Envelope, Dallas
CLIENT Fairfax Develops
ARCHITECT Buchanan Architecture
DESIGN TEAMRussell Buchanan, AIA; Jordan Yamada
CONTRACTOR Fairfax Develops
CONSULTANTS McHale Engineering, Inc. (structural)
PHOTOGRAPHER Jason Franzen

Rather than accepting the most general issues of zoning compliance, this project offers a very detailed response to the zoning constraints and its exceptions. The design solution should be considered, in part, as a product of thorough zoning research.

The form is generated by the off-street parking requirement and the site's location at an intersection. Each unit faces the side street, allowing secured parking access from a private drive towards the rear. The upper levels cantilever over the driveway to maximize area.

The program stipulated three 2,300 sq. ft. dwelling units. Each unit required a living room, dining room, kitchen, utility room, master suite, guest suite, and a two-car garage.

RESOURCES
masonry units : Featherlite; plastic fabrications : Polygal; metal windows: Kawneer; tile: Daltile