Modified Residential Layouts

Heinrich asked if the column grid was off because the columns near the west wall were in the middle of windows. No the windows on the west elevation were spaced incorrectly. This happens many times with historic buildings when the buildings were not built exactly as the drawings illustrated. The photograph shows the existing condition of the west facade.

Building 1 - West facade

I've corrected the openings on the west facade. That existing exterior wall is also a wood frame wall and not masonry like the remainder of the exterior walls on building 1. I've redesigned the units so that the living room or bedroom areas have a view of a winter garden. I’ve also made the powder rooms near units entries smaller; add coat closets near each unit entry.

Buidling 1 Residential Unit Layout

I revisited the design of the winter gardens on the 2nd floor. They are private gardens for each residential unit. Some of the larger units have access to two gardens. Additionally, the main entrances to each units is from the main corridor, and not off of a winter garden or atrium.

I have provided a central landing near the central elevators at the mezzanine level to allow egress from the units that have bedrooms on a at this level. The Mezzanine levels are only accessible from the central stair.
The entrances to each unit is inset from the corridor to provide residents a limited amount of privacy when entering their unit. This entry space also includes a lower ceiling to reduce the scale as residents transition into their unit. The 3rd floor units include balconies at the light well in lieu of the winter gardens.

All glazing adjacent to the lightwells will contain "smart glass" or switchable glass. This refers to electrically switchable glass or glazing which changes light transmission properties when voltage is applied. This allows the resident to control their privacy.

Residential Floors - Reworking Units

I spoke with the owner of the Lemp Complex and he informed me that the floor to floor heights in Building 1 were 18'-0". This allows some of the units to have mezzanines. I've also made the winter gardens semi-private, there is a visual connection from the public corridor. However, the winter gardens can only be accessed from the residential units. With natural light from the lightwells and existing windows, residents will have a good amount of daylight along with opportunity to visually connect with the outdoors.

More Preliminary Plans - Building 1

Phase I - Site Plans

Phase I - Building 1 Schematic Layout

Interior Perspective at Ground Floor looking up through Lightwell

Interior Perspective at 2nd Floor Garden

3rd Schematic Layout

My challenge has been creating a design that will bring natural light into the center portion of the layout. A central circulation space minimizes public space, allowing more space for the residential units on the Second and Third Floors.


This also provides an opportunity for each unit to have connectivity to the outdoors. The replacement window units will be operable, therefore each resident will be able to control their interaction with the outdoor environment. It is important to have exterior views from all of the residential units. This provides opportunities for connectivity to the environment. In this region of the country the four seasons are very distinct. Residents must be able to visually experience the seasons.




The Yerba Buena Lofts in San Francisco, California provided an excellent example of loft or warehouse design with a deep plan and tight structural grid. Each unit has access to a small private loggia.

The unit sizes for Building 1 at the Lemp Brewery are:
Unit A - 2600 s.f./unit (2 Bedroom, 2 Bath)
Unit B - 2300 s.f./unit (2 Bedroom, 1 Bath)
Unit C - 2000 s.f./unit (1 Bedroom, 1 Bath)
Unit D - 1600 s.f./unit (1 Bedroom, 1 Bath)

The Kyo-Machiya housing type in Japan was developed to allow urban spaces, which are in densely populated areas, to have access to natural light. This housing type utilizes the concept of directing natural light into the interior portions of the buildings.