Rose Street Artist's Cooperative

1998 Burlington, VT
12 Affordable living units, studio and gallery for artists.  $1.2 M
Principals: Bob Duncan and MIchael Wisniewski

Convert abandoned, historic bakery into affordable housing for artists. Flexible spaces should function as living or studio. Include a gallery and communal gathering space as well as common work area. The existing ceilings are not high enough for inserting a second story. Provide on site parking even though the building footprint occupies the entire site. Meet requirements for historic tax credits.  

The design cleverly maximizes space by selectively penetrating the roof to allow insertion of second stories in some places while leaving high ceilings in others and providing a rich variety and flexibility of dwelling layout. Throughout, the many old layers and structural elements of the building read through and contrast with new construction. The central gallery and communal space incorporates historic skylights for natural light. Parking is accommodated in the former truck dock.