Elmhurst, Gold Award, Infill
Site: Sewickley, Pa.
Entrant/Designer/Builder/Interior Designer/Photographer: Charter Homes and Neighborhoods
Size: 26 Units
Hard cost per sf: $65/sf
Completion: April 2017
This 26-unit development of townhouses and single-family dwellings is set within an iconic village of homes on the Ohio River near Pittsburgh. The goal was to have the neighborhood blend seamlessly with its surroundings. “The greatest compliment we’ve received is that ‘It looks like it’s always been there,’” says Rob Bowman, president ofCharter Homes. Home density gradually increases from northwest to southeast, keeping with the rhythm of the neighborhood. Large trees were planted to blend with the mature trees that adorn the town’s streetscape as well as to blur the property lines between homes.
The mix of luxury homes and spacious townhomes varies in mass and color, with common exterior elements like brick and custom-colored mortar. Hidden detached garages allow uninterrupted paths from front doors to wide sidewalks, and privet hedges provide privacy while allowing for social interaction between homeowners and passersby.
Contractors uncovered distinctive, locally manufactured yellow bricks on site, which they reused to line walkways and to create the façades of some homes. Interiors feature oversized windows and long sightlines, with spacious kitchens and eating areas that foster gathering.
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PB Topical Ref
