Mass Timber Townhouse

The client of this townhouse in Park Slope sought to create a passive house with a timber-based structural system, making it the first single-family home in Brooklyn to be approved by the Department of Buildings for a timber structure. The design incorporates Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) elements, including columns, beams, and floor slabs, creating a sustainable and resilient framework. The façade openings are strategically positioned to optimize solar gain in the winter while minimizing heat in the summer, and the windows are triple-glazed to enhance energy efficiency and maintain a comfortable indoor environment. The home’s mechanical ventilation system features Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV), which exchanges stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air, further supporting its environmental-efficient design.

In departure from traditional townhouse layouts, the bedrooms are located on the first floor, while the second floor houses the reception areas. This arrangement opens the living spaces to an outdoor terrace garden, offering privacy and a serene connection to nature, away from the street. The entire façade is cladded in sleek aluminum panels, with the terrace garden seamlessly continuing the cladding design through perforated panels, creating a unified and harmonious geometry between the interior and exterior.

‍