william o'brien jr: twins - houses in five parts

'twins: houses in five parts' by william o’brien jr. located in upstate new york, usa
images © peter guthrie


boston based practice william o’brien jr. has designed 'twins: houses in five parts', two single family residences located
in upstate new york, USA. intended for two brothers, a pair of structures sharing similar geometric qualities are linked by
a functional agricultural field. the internal volumes are the result of a study of the mathematical principle of 'dissection' in
which polygons of equal areas may be divided into identical shapes. two sets composed of four varied trapezoids and one
triangle containing parallel programmatic functions are arranged into a square and hexagonal plan configuration.



two homes separated by a linear agricultural plot


the floor and roof planes respond to immediate topographical shifts creating a varied sectional alignment connected with
ramps and stairs. all water runoff is directed towards a linear plot which can be easily accessed by dwellers from both endpoints.
the ribbon of land is planted with interwoven strips of berries, vegetables and wheat. continuous horizontal windows
provide vistas of the surrounding forest and familial neighbor. visible exterior surfaces are coated with thick black stucco
contrasting the monochromatic white interior.



hexagonal home



square home



volume lifted off the ground



window provides dwellers with views of the neighboring structure



vista of neighboring home and surrounding landscape



the triangular space is used as a screened in porch within the hexagonal home



the triangular space is used as an interior open air courtyard within the square home



site plan



floor plan / level 0
hexagonal home



floor plan / level 0
square home



site section



sectional diagram



volumetric diagram



geometry study diagram



vegetation diagram