bureau for architecture and urbanism: matchbox house

‘the matchbox house’ by bureau for architecture and urbanism, michigan, USA image © steve maylone all images courtesy of bureau for architecture and urbanism

architect naseem alizadeh of american firm bureau for architecture and urbanism has recently completed ‘the matchbox house’ in ann arbor, michigan, placed into a wooded site as a dwelling that sits visually independently of its surroundings but does not dominate it either. the general form consists of the archetypal icon of the house with a 45-degree roof slope, like the outer cover of a matchbox, with a light cedar wood-sided inner box that sits within the darker standing seem metal plated shell. the entire building rests on a concrete foundation inset from the residence’s footprint to emphasize its presence dropped onto the site. in elevation, the living volume is divided into four quadrants that push and pull out of the outer covering, creating overhangs and outdoor spaces.

several measures were taken to make sustainability an integral, although not necessarily aesthetic, part of the project, an effort that has put the house in the running to receive a LEED platinum certification. the timber frame structure was spaced 30% further apart to reduce the use of material. all of the wood used in the interior is from the forest stewardship council, an organization dealing with the responsible and renewable use of wood, while the exterior was reclaimed from an old barn. the only intrusive intervention was that of the foundation and driveway, but was offset by re-planting native vegetation on-site, which does not require any additional irrigation. all appliances are energy efficient, low-e windows and a 2kW solar panel assist in the minimization of the carbon footprint.  

dark metal plate skin as the matchbox case image © steve maylone

driveway and entrance image © steve maylone

exterior spaces under a deep roof are created image © steve maylone

each of the four sections protrude and retract within the shell image © steve maylone

living room image © steve maylone

main living space, entrance on the right side image © steve maylone

kitchen image © steve maylone

double-height entrance and stair case image © steve maylone

bedroom image © steve maylone

bathroom image © steve maylone

site plan

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level 1

roof plan

section

section

elevation

elevation

elevation

exploded axonometric

project info:

architect: naseem alizadeh (bureau for architecture and urbanism) builder: brian halprin (green building services, pllc) landscape architect: tad krear (land design studio) structural engineer: cory johnston (johnston design) mechanical engineer: matt snider (snider environmental systems) green rater: lee purches (hp3 group) green provider: michael holcomb (alliance for environmental sustainability) hers rater: amanda godward (ecotelligent homes) photographer: steve maylone (maylone photography) kitchen and bathroom cabinetry: christine ryan (ryan cabinetry) landscape installers: matt demmon (plantwise restoration)