Felix
Columbus, Ohio
SERVICES
Architecture
Site Planning
STATUS
Unbuilt
AWARDS
NextHome 2021 Design Competition | First Place
FELIX, flexible houses for future phases is a single-family housing concept about flexibility and future-adaptability with a low upfront cost. Encapsulating three ideas: Aravena’s concept of “half of a good house”, Lacaton and Vassal’s greenhouse-style construction method, and commercial fit-out phasing, FELIX envisions an efficient interior enclosure and a conservatory space sharing a continuous post-frame shell structure. It allows for growth, flexibility, individual-expression, and affordability.
Initially 800 square feet of conditioned living space, FELIX comes with an additional 400 square foot of usable spaces under one common roof and structure. This double-height flex space is covered by polycarbonate sheets. It maintains comfort using passive-solar gain in the winter, fall, and spring as well as natural ventilation to remain comfortable in the summer.
FELIX is designed to accommodate the unique needs of different user groups. Without adding exterior shell structure, the conservatory can be weatherproofed and re-clad to become fully-conditioned. The loft space on the second floor can be expanded to cover the full floor. This gives the owner the agency to adapt the interior fit-out to their specific needs in phases. For ADA accessibility or aging in place, one can expand their dwelling horizontally into the conservatory without using a second floor. For young professionals, the second floor can be used as an office for work from home. As the owner’s family grows, a second bedroom can be added for aging parents and children.
