Picking out an architect's home is pretty easy. Just look for the one that takes the most chances and still finds the means to make them work in its own unique, quirky way.
In the neighborhood adjacent to downtown Royal Oak's east side, that home belongs to Frank Arvan, principal architect at FX Architecture. His 2,800-square-foot home/office is built around a central courtyard using industrial materials, such as pour-in-place concrete walls, galvanized metal roofs and siding. Then there are the soft wooden doors and windows on the front façade that respects the character of the surrounding bungalows.
That home is one of the half dozen featured in the American Institute of Architects Detroit chapter's “2007 Homes of Royal Oak Tour” in downtown Royal Oak on Sunday.
The three-hour walking tour, which will take place between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., will feature six AIA architect-designed homes located near the downtown area. All of the homes incorporate intriguing design concepts centered on urban living.
Among the homes featured on the tour are:
The Grand Manhattan Penthouse at Metro Lofts designed by Neumann/Smith Architecture. This three-story, 3,000-square-foot loft was customized for the developer. It features a 26-foot tall industrial metal stair, a vaulted metal roof, 2,100 square feet of outdoor roof terraces and balconies overlooking downtown Royal Oak and Detroit, a commercial grade kitchen with high-end finishes and gallery quality track lighting showcasing large-scale art collections.
The Parent Street Residences, the winner of the 2006 Detroit Home Design Award: Contemporary Interior Design. McIntosh Poris Associates redeveloped the former lumber warehouse into a several stories of urban lofts. The building exudes its original industrial character, common in real lofts, incorporating exposed duct-work, 21-foot ceilings, metal-roof trusses, concrete flooring and open floor plans. A custom-designed, metal-and-wood staircase connects to the second level with a mezzanine overlooking the first floor.
311/313 North Washington Town(house) is one of the biggest head turning homes on the tour. The H&F Architecture designed duplex marries two distinct styles that allow each home to capture the most natural daylight. One features burnished concrete block while the other is clad in white siding. However, the architect found a way to join both distinct characteristics into a building that opens eyes and drops jaws.
For more information, call (313) 965-4103.
Source: Lauren Garfield, Marx Layne & Company
Writer: Jon Zemke
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