Bienville House Duplex

Bienville House Duplex is an innovative residential architectural project located in New Orleans, Louisiana, that reimagines urban living through thoughtful design and spatial configuration. Completed in 2019, this contemporary duplex structure represents a sophisticated solution to the challenges of modern urban family life, featuring a distinctive composition of suspended cubic forms and exposed concrete walls. The design prioritizes outdoor connectivity and natural light integration through extensive use of transparency and strategic spatial arrangement, comprising two distinct units: a primary four-bedroom residence and a three-bedroom rental unit. The structure's architectural language is characterized by its board-formed ThermoMass concrete walls rising 30 feet, which not only serve as load-bearing elements but also provide thermal regulation. The project's innovative approach to materials and space utilization earned it the prestigious Golden A' Design Award in the Architecture, Building and Structure Design category in 2020, recognizing its exceptional contribution to residential architecture. The design successfully challenges conventional suburban migration patterns by creating an urban dwelling that maximizes outdoor access within a confined city lot, featuring multiple entry points at the lowest level that pay homage to regional architectural traditions while incorporating contemporary environmental considerations. The structure's sophisticated interplay between transparent communal spaces and private upper floors, wrapped in exterior surfaces forming an echelon of suspended cubes, creates a visually striking composition that remains functionally efficient and environmentally conscious. The project demonstrates exemplary integration of modern architectural principles with practical living requirements, utilizing materials like American Fiber Cement cladding and expansive LaCantina sliding glass doors to achieve its design objectives while meeting strict local flood zone requirements and historic preservation guidelines.

Author: Adam Dawson

Keywords: residential architecture, urban living design, contemporary duplex, sustainable construction, architectural innovation, New Orleans modern architecture

SOURCES:
https://competition.adesignaward.com/95980

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