Status| concept

Part 2 of a modular series of housing concepts is the 4×10 Luxury Lofts. This housing concept is based on the common unit used in the 2-4-6-8 Luxury Residences project and is configured into 5 story residential components with shared open air circulation between the units and parking below. A total of 40 units are available with private parking and swimming pools. Like the 2-4-6-8, this concept is intended for a mild to hot climate typical of Southern California and parts of South America, Africa and India. The 4×10 concept is also the design model featured in the previous “Augmented Reality” post.

Please review the first part of this series > 2-4-6-8 Luxury Residences [concept]

All images and content are the property of rui duarte DESIGN and may only be used with written consent. Copyright 2010, All Rights Reserved

design images

Status| unbuilt

The location of this project is within a stone’s throw from Scarborough Beach in the southern most part of Narragansett. The client’s family has enjoyed this summer beach house for a number of years as a departure from their homestead in New Jersey. The home recently was water damaged during the winter months by a broken pipe that flooded the crawlspace below. The client is now looking to add more living functionality to the house and prepare accommodations for future decades of guests.

Currently the house is 970sf of inhabitable area, containing 3 small bedrooms, 2 baths, kitchen and living room. A new second floor will be added with 2 more bedrooms, a bath, and a family room overlooking the ocean. A third story viewing room is proposed to take advantage of the location and view.

The design of the house is based on simple modern forms that make reference to ocean movements and generate interior volumetric spaces, much like the void formed by a surfer’s pipeline wave. Exterior materials will be selected to compliment the concept and window placement will be designed to picture frame the views of the ocean and horizon. Being a seasonal summer home, emphasis is placed on a passive wind design that will cool the home during the summer months. This will be achieved utilizing a centrally located stair as a vertical exhaust mechanism.

preliminary design images: 10/30/09

Status| concept

Recently in conversation a few colleagues of mine were discussing modular construction and how it was only attributed to small-medium residential applications. Well I took the conversation topic to heart and started to look at a residential tower concept where most pieces are to be pre-fab and lifted into place. At the moment several other experts are looking at the design and determining what components could indeed be pre-fab. The design is also looking into sustainability and energy conservation. Structurally a concrete and steel frame with pre-cast concrete, metal panel exterior cladding would be used. This is a design concept and not a realized project; however the design is targeted at a warmer climate such a Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo area.

UPDATE: Please review the second part of this series > 4×10 Luxury Lofts

All images and content are the property of rui duarte DESIGN and may only be used with written consent. Copyright 2009, All Rights Reserved

design images

Status| 90% complete

Design and drawings are recently complete for the Elmwood Adult Day Care on Elmwood Avenue in Providence. The Owner, who currently owns the building next door, is looking to expand his business by connecting the two buildings and providing extended care services to the area.

The existing building was once use as a Divers Retail Store complete with indoor pool and oxygen apparatus. While maintaining the exterior shell of the building the design involves providing amble space for 100 occupants with necessary amenities and accessibility. The exterior of the building will be cleaned and have its windows replaced with aluminum frames and low-E glazing. A new roof will replace the existing 50 year old roof system and provide extension thermal insulation. The exterior 8″ concrete masonry unit (cmu) walls will be furred out on the inside and insulated to meet current energy code requirements. Lighting for the facility is also carefully selected and designed to maximize brightness levels needed by the occupants. Three new skylights compliment the lighting design providing natural light during the day and reducing energy consumption.

The project is currently being reviewed by the State Fire Marshall’s becuase of its use group and will then proceed to local review by the Building and Fire Department, and later by the Health Deptment prior to occupancy. Demolition will begin in the next two weeks…

design models and renderings|

more images available | www.ruiduarte.com

Status| completed summer 2009

The owner of this property, located on Rt. 6 near a highly active commercial zone, wanted to transform a current auto parts retail store into a showroom for European sports and luxury automobile sales.

The project scope involves removing the front part of the existing structure to rebuild a new showroom. Alterations to the remaining building include adding garage doors to the exterior and re-design of the interior layout to accommodate a tenant space.

design models and renderings|

more images available | www.ruiduarte.com

Status| complete (winter 2008)

The owners of the house are newcomers to the RI area and have settled here for career opportunities. They were able to acquire the home at an affordable price and were looking to renovate the house to suit their lifestyle.

Essentially the house is a typical “four-square”, 2-story plus walk-up attic and full basement. The owners’ request was to add more area to the kitchen and master bedroom quadrant of the house. The kitchen is expanded by 130SF, while the upstairs bedroom gains 210 SF with a new master bedroom and walk in closet. A front wrap around porch is also added to reflect the owners’ southern influences and provide “curb appeal” to the property.

more images available | www.ruiduarte.com

“We are EXTREMELY PLEASED with your help in our project. And strongly believe without your participation the project would not have come out as fantastic as it did. If we buy land and build in this area we’ll be giving you a call!” - the client

Also included in the addition/renovation is a complete rebuild of all interior walls and millwork, exterior insulation, new windows, new siding, new electrical and energy efficient heating and ventilation systems. A new backyard deck is also part of the design and plans to rebuild a new garage are set for the neat future.

existing conditions|

more images available | www.ruiduarte.com

construction progress|

more images available | www.ruiduarte.com

competed interior|

more images available | www.ruiduarte.com

design models and renderings| the design process was based on a seamless integration of old and new with considerations for neighborhood context and property value. One important change made to the original design is the flat roof/patio over the two story addition instead of extending the roof and creating additional home gym space on the third floor.

more images available | www.ruiduarte.com