Live work home by Cook+Fox Architects (video)

Live Work Home is the winning design proposal, which received the LEED-NC (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for New Construction) Platinum certification, the highest possible award by the United States Green Building Council. The 2010 building utilizes longevity and livelihood of the western part of Syracuse, NY. The city itself has shrunk due to the industrialisation induced migration during the 20th century. Today, the region faces high unemployment rate and lack of space designed for creative industry. Affordable housing by itself does not respond enough to the needs of the city. Sustainable community and social diversity are necessary to revitilize it.

„Our beds are empty two thirds of the time. Our living rooms seven eights of the time. Our administrative buildings are vacant half of the time. The time to consider this has come.“ – Buckminster Fuller, I Seem to Be a Verb, 1970.

An innovative concept from the workshop of Cook+Fox Architects offers immense flexibility, with its sliding doors and elements which enable to restructure the 130m2 space according to the needs of the owners. It offers several functional uses and countless disposition solutions. Economically sound concept counts with uses such as workspace, community centre or even a pleasant loft-style accommodation for low-income households. The house, situated in colder climate, utilizes solar energy through solar collector and spacious windows, which illuminate the rooms. Mobile perforated screens enveloping the house transmit daylight and immitate treetops-piercing rays of sun.
photos: mocoloco.com