This urban infill prefab is located at the foot of the Throgs Neck Bridge on Eastchester Bay in the Bronx. The Bronx Box is a modified version of the double-decker, 2-story bar typology with an additional storage ‘saddle bag’, containing built in cabinets along the length of the house. Given the narrow lot, the design aims to celebrate the constraints of its zoning envelope; the site’s set backs, height limitations, and flood plain requirements yield a compact footprint while still featuring off-street parking, a small patch of green, and an expansive roof deck with stunning views of the bay beyond. The first floor is compact and contains a wall of storage running the length of the floor. An open living, dining and kitchen area is organized in a linear manner and opens out onto an elevated deck. Exterior stairs are the full width of the house and lead down to the pier that juts out into the bay. The second floor mimics the linear organization of the first and a wall of storage as well, but two bedrooms and two bathrooms occupy the rest of the space. The master bedroom features its own fireplace and balcony while a structural glass skylight allows for natural light into the internal bathroom. A metal clad roof bulkhead was carefully sculpted within the zoning restrictions and provides access to an expansive roof deck providing 360º views of the bay and surrounding neighborhood. The house is clad in cement board with cedar accents and Ipe wood decks to keep maintenance issues at a minimum. Given that the home’s modern aesthetic builds from the existing colors, textures, and diverse qualities within the surrounding urban fabric, it has been accepted as another unique personality within the neighborhood. Architects: Joseph Tanney, Robert Luntz Project Architect: John Kim Manufacturer: Simplex Industries Project Coordinator: Jason Drouse Engineer: Lynne Walshaw P.E., Greg Sloditskie Contractor: Northbrook Contracting Corp. Photographer: © RES4, © Laurie Lambrecht

Dining room and main hallway. Modern fireplace wall has herringbone tile pattern and custom wood shelving. The main hall has custom wood trusses that bring the feel of the 16' tall ceilings down to earth. The steel dining table is 4' x 10' and was built specially for the space.

Corner Alcove in Studio Space. Cathy Schwabe Architecture. Photograph by David Wakely

WHAT MAKES VILLA TERRA GREEN? 1. Rammed Earth and PISE Walls Beyond it’s beautiful qualities and “Old World” look, the rammed earth and PISE walls (pneumatically impacted stabilized earth) drastically reduce the use of trees for the initial wall framing lumber. And because this “Earth Structure” will far outlast any wood frame building, trees are again saved many times over, creating the foundation for the true model of sustainability. We have created a house that will essentially last forever, instead of having to be rebuilt every 50 to 75 years. The 18” thick PISE walls and concrete floors also provide thermal mass, an integral part of the passive solar design of the house. These features help keep the house naturally cooler in summer and retaining heat in winter, greatly reducing the heating and cooling loads and energy use. 2. High Content Fly Ash Concrete Foundation Use of high content (25%) fly ash (industrial waste byproduct) in place of Portland Cement results in reduction of energy consumption and green house gas emissions associated with Portland cement production (second only to petroleum in terms of carbon dioxide emissions). 3. Reclaimed Plumbing Fixtures All lavatory sinks and tubs were bought from salvage yards (tub is reportedly from the Jack Benny house in Hollywood). Reclaimed Carrara marble fountain has been made into the powder room sink. 4. Natural Daylighting Use of numerous skylights and high transom windows to reduce electrical lighting loads during the day. Natural daylighting also has documented benefits on mood, productivity, and enjoyment of the space. 5. Photo Voltaic Solar Panels Use of PV solar electric generation system to reduce electrical grid consumption, and bi-directional meter sends power back to the grid when it is needed most, on hot summer afternoons. 6. Hydronic Radiant Heat Floor Use of hydronic radiant floor heating system saves energy, is more efficient for residential heating, is more comfortable for inhabitants, and promotes superior indoor air quality over forced air systems. 7. Natural/Passive Ventilation Use of operable skylights operable high windows and ceiling fans, creates a natural convection current, thereby eliminating the need for an air conditioning system. 8. Passive Solar Design Use of extensive east and south facing glass, proper overhangs, high interior mass, deciduous grape vines on appropriately placed trellises, to passively heat the home in winter, and protect the house from unnecessary heat gain in summer. 9. Reclaimed Lumber - Douglas fir ceiling beams reclaimed from the Town & Country Village Shopping Center (now Santana Row) in San Jose. - Douglas fir ceiling decking reclaimed from the 118 year old Notre Dame High School in downtown San Jose. TJI joists reclaimed from the “Millenium Man” movie set in Alameda used for floor and roof framing. Redwood ceiling beams reclaimed from a Los Altos cabana/trellis. 10. Extensive Use of Other Reclaimed Materials Two antique reclaimed European stone fireplace mantles grace the family room and master bedroom fireplaces. Interior doors with glass knobs reclaimed from the original house located at the property. Two large terraces utilize used brick salvaged from at least 15 different locations. Courtyard fountain is tiled using recycled and restored ceramic tiles from a 1928 California Colonial house in Los Altos. Cabinet lumber from original house used for closet shelving. Plywood from crates that the windows and doors were delivered in were used to create garage shear walls. Foundation forms were salvaged and rip cut for use as interior stud walls. Garage doors were salvaged from a remodel project in Mountain View. 11. Ground Source Heat Pump - Ground source heat pump uses geothermal energy to heat the house and domestic water, greatly reducing natural gas and fossil fuel consumption. 12. Low VOC Paint Clay Plaster Wall Finishes VOC-free interior paint and stain finishes promotes healthy indoor air quality, reduces exacerbation of respiratory ailments such as asthma and lung cancer. Extensive use of American Clay Plaster integral color wall finish eliminates need for painted walls. 13. High Efficiency Windows Use of energy efficient dual pane thermal glazing with “Low e” coating at all doors and windows reduces heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter, cutting energy use. 14. Engineered Structural Lumber Extensive use of engineered lumber for structural framing and sheathing reduces cutting of old growth forests, and encourages use of “crop lumber”. 15. FSC Certified Mill Work Extensive use of FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified sustainable lumber products for cabinetry, hardwood flooring, trim, etc. further protects the environment through third party monitoring and certification of the entire supply chain. 16. Cotton Insulation Formaldehyde-free cotton insulation made from recycled blue jeans used extensively for attic insulation. photography by Frank Paul Perez

Designed by Jamie Thibeault Photo Copyright (c) Julie Megnia Photography (www.juliemegniaphotography.com)

THE BOOK: MEDITERRANEAN ARCHITECTURE http://www.houzz.com/photos/356911/Mediterranean-architecture---Fabrizia-Frezza-mediterranean-books-other-metros

Photographer: Paul Craig This master bathroom is covered in a beautiful marble tile system that has flecks of gold and silver in the veins. The panelling is in a soft off-white farrow and ball colour. The built in vanity unit and bath have marble countertops with a sleek and sophisticated edge detail. The vanity unit doors have a panel detail of their own with a bevelled mirror panel fitted into the internals. The crystal door knobs of this add another element to the polished chrome taps, towels radiator and shower valves.

An olive green feature wall is a stunning contrast to the modern grey units in this kitchen/dining room. www.adriennechinn.co.uk Photos: Magdalena Plewa-Ould

Maintenance free extruded aluminum with over 200 color choices on the outside and the warmth of Pine, Douglas Fir, Hemlock, Oak or tropical hardwoods on the inside.

Mike Graff

Ryann Ford

Bethany Nauert