NANO Architecture | Interiors

The former home of Emeril’s Homebase was purchased by clients who wished to renovate the ground floor and construct a garage at the rear of the site. Having recently moved to the Central Business District (CBD) area, and beginning to have thoughts of starting a family, they were enthralled with the idea of having a grassy backyard hidden among the brick and concrete that surrounded them.
NANO designed a garage which is separated from the rear wall of the building, allowing light to get into the new first floor bedroom, and covered the roof with greenery that can be accessed immediately upon exiting the building on the second floor. Additional green walls climb the surrounding brick surfaces, creating a garden retreat in the heart of the urban environment. Through the development and analysis of sun studies, as well as private and public exterior space program needs, the design resolved to an “elevated backyard” with a courtyard and garage on the first floor. The courtyard is flanked by a cantilevered stair and garage on one side, with a protruding storefront on the other side. The “elevated backyard” has integrated plant beds, benches and split levels for seating and play areas. There is a sun trellis with lights and fans for comfort. This design resolved all of the client’s needs and provides the only single-family backyard within the CBD. The defining detail of this project is this is resolution of all the client’s needs within the program, and providing the only single privately owned property in the CBD that has a backyard.