northwest studio
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An inside-out building that works with the climate instead of against it, trading enclosure for simple, open structures that cost less to operate and ground the project in its environment.
What they do not value are high common charges in the apartments they rent.
This project looks to the outdoors to rethink the indoors. We organized shared spaces to be covered and protected, but open to the environment. Redmond Flats works with the local microclimate to reduce the need for enclosed common areas and the systems that support them. The result is a lower cost of living, aligned with the place.
In most midrise buildings, the largest energy demand comes from heating, cooling, and ventilation. Enclosed lobbies, corridors, and parking garages require constant conditioning and ventilation. These spaces are rarely occupied, yet they account for a significant portion of a building’s energy use.
We approached the building differently. We turned it inside out.
Lobbies, bike storage, corridors, and the parking garage are opened to the outdoors, removing the need for mechanical ventilation. Each apartment is paired with a covered outdoor space, extending living beyond the unit.
The architecture is direct. It is tied to its environment. It costs less to build. It costs less to operate.