38 Angelus Duplex

38 Angelus Street, Memphis, TN 38104 United States

Building Area (sf): 3,600 sf

Completion: September 2023

Architect of Record:

ooba

n/a

• Owner/Client:
• General Contractor: Riverhaus Construction
• Electrical: n/a
• Engineering:
  
• Other:
  
• Photography:
  1 – Street facing elevation. Photo courtesy of firm.
  2 – Corner view showing south side of building. Photo courtesy of firm.
  3 – Site plan showing existing context. Photo courtesy of firm.
  4 – Level 1 floor plan & level 2 floor plan; View showing entry & living room beyond. Photo courtesy of firm.
  5 – Interior axon showing; view of kitchen; view of dining / study. Photo courtesy of firm.
  6 – Screen wall elevation; elevation photo of screen wall; view showing living room and kitchen. Photo courtesy of firm.
  7 – View of dining through kitchen; View of bedroom window. Photo courtesy of firm.
  8 – View of entry & landing from stair; View of screen & entry from kitchen. Photo courtesy of firm.
  9 - Corner view showing north side of building. Photo courtesy of ooba.
  10 – Corner view showing rear entries & semi-private patios. Photo courtesy of firm.
  
  

The project goal was to provide an affordable, contemporary building – one that is spatially efficient and simultaneously modern, yet compatible with the context of the street. Additionally, we sought to use quality building materials and sustainable building practices.

Located in the heart of Midtown Memphis, this collaboration with Riverhaus Properties provides much needed “missing middle” housing – i.e. small scaled multifamily development that promotes urban density, walkability, and a properties designed for families (i.e. more than two bedrooms). The neighborhood context is transitional including retail, apartments, and single family housing. Although the latter historically dominated the area, large retail establishments were built nearby in the 1970’s - including 19 acres of retail and surface parking across the street.

This 3,600 sf duplex includes two units (at 1,800 sf each) with dining, living, and kitchen spaces on the ground floor. The kitchen is spatially defined by wood accents in the form of simple stained lumber screens and millwork. The second floor includes three bedrooms per unit, and a flex space on Level 2 near the stair landings further promotes family or community activities. Unlike a common townhome typology prevalent in Memphis where a garage blocks light on the back side of the unit, these townhomes feature light and views on three sides. On the principal facade, a recessed entry is further shaded by plate steel canopies, and a ground level porch addresses the street. The rear entries and patios are both similarly recessed, sheltered by the second floor overhang above.

The building is clad with Norman brick at the ground level. Above the brick, vertically oriented poly-ash composite siding contains 70% recycled content (fly ash) and offers clean lines and enhanced rot resistance. Behind these facade materials, high performance “ZIP” system sheathing and drainage furring strips enhance longevity, sustainability, and overall building envelope performance. The building was designed to be structurally efficient as a simple rectangular mass and then visually broken down into two volumes through the material change. Darker vertical siding was chosen above in relation to large sloped roof planes and a lighter brick below chosen as a material that provides warmth and relates to both the streets residential past and more mixed use present and future. In order to clad the entire building in quality materials, the design team sought subtle and affordable opportunities to enhance the building throughout the project.