Maison D'Acier
Akron, Ohio
Fougeron Architecture

Steel house provides contrast to suburban banality

Courtesy Fougeron Architecture

For more images click on 'photos & drawings' above.

Designed as the perfect pad for a young bachelor, this 4,500-square-foot house provides a counterpoint to conventional subdivision architecture found in the surrounding suburb. Whereas neighboring homes are large, unarticulated structures with little or no relation to the land, Maison D'Acier will be carefully embedded into its surroundings. It responds both to the topography and climate, and makes use of local building materials.

The house is positioned to maximize views of a pond and trees to the west of the property. Its orientation also helps manage solar exposure. Incorporating the site's natural grade, the architect located a sunken patio at one end of the house. It is enclosed by large screens that fold up and away, allowing the client to open his living room to the landscape when weather and insect conditions permit.

Massing is articulated in four distinct volumes that correspond to specific programmatic needs. Spread over different levels, these volumes create overlapping perspectives, mixing light with shadow. A glass-enclosed circulation spine links the volumes; the architect conceived of it as a bridge, suspended from the roof between volumes. A structural steel system, which supports the spine and volumes elements, will showcase the manufacturing skills of the client, who owns a steel fabrication shop in nearby Akron, Ohio. The project is temporarily on hold due to financing.

Formal name of building:
Maison D’Acier

Location:
Akron, Ohio

Gross square footage:
4,500 sq. ft.

Owner:
Scott Parker

Architect:
Fougeron Architecture
720 York Street #107
San Francisco, CA 94110
Tel: 415-641-5744
Fax: 415-282-6434
www.fougeron.com

Principal in charge: Anne Fougeron

Team: Michael Pierry, Todd Aranaz

Engineer
Endres Ware consulting engineers
Paul Endres

Consultant(s)
Landscape: Andrea Cochran www.acochran.com
Lighting: Dan Dodt

CAD system, project management, or other software used
2d – vectorworks www.nemetschek.net; 3d- form z www.formz.com; photoshop www.adobe.com