This 1,800 sf speculative single-family home was designed for a local developer in the “Beltline” neighborhood of Memphis and exemplifies progressive contextual infill design that is both site-responsive and elevated. The project respects and references the traditional bungalow form through the employment of common historic features like a front porch with porte-cochere and a contextually familiar roofline. However, the 3BR 2BA house breaks the mold with its materiality, interior vaulted ceilings, and semi-enclosed courtyard.

Along the porch a low brick wall lightly uses durable masonry construction typical of this street in a subtle but impactful way that doubles as seating. For economy, exterior materials are limited to the aforementioned masonry, lapped horizontal siding, painted fascias, and simple windows. At the interior, living spaces are arranged in a four-square layout inspired by older homes of the area including an often-omitted entry vestibule that features a generous entry door with side lights. At the living room, a large triple unit window harkens to bay windows and aligns with an opening to the dining room.

While relatively traditional in plan, the ceiling plane offers an unexpected condition -  two vaulted ceilings are created over the living area and kitchen/dining space. A central bulkhead provides spatial definition spanning the full width of the house while housing HVAC and hosting kitchen built-ins below. Lastly, a courtyard (open to the sky) between the kitchen and master bathroom provides enhanced interior lighting and a destination of its own.

This house demonstrates that residential architecture can be both mindful and even deferential to historic precedent, while being thoroughly modern and of its time.