Project Narrative:
A family of four wanted to build a new house on a vacant lot in an established Albuquerque neighborhood that had been developed in the 1960's. The lot was small, 65 feet by 135 feet with a northeast orientation and a grade that sloped 8 feet from back to front. To secure financing, the construction cost had to be compatible with the current resale values of adjacent properties. This meant that the total square foot construction cost, including all site development, had to be less than $60 per square foot.
The compact 4,000 square foot plan revolves around a tall linear entry foyer that bisects the formal and casual living areas. The house has a basement and two upper levels which are set back from the street to diminish the vertical impact of their height. A large area of glass occurs at the end of the living room to capture views of the adjacent Sandia Mountains. The garage door is also glass which continues the pattern of the living room window and opens up the typical elevation on a narrow subdivision lot.
The main level consists of living, dining, kitchen and family rooms along with kid's bedrooms and playroom. The upper level has a master bedroom suite with a large bathroom and separate study. A small deck off of the bedroom faces the Sandia and Manzano mountains and a ladder-accessed look-out tower peeks over an adjacent hill with views of the West Mesa volcanoes and sunsets. The house steps up from the front to the back following the natural slope of the site. It opens up on the north and east sides to capture views and morning light. The stepping forms of the house subtly recall elements of traditional New Mexico architecture.
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