House II, Cambridge Modern Residence, Massachusetts Real Estate, American Architecture Design Photos
House II in Cambridge Massachusetts
Nov 20, 2021
Design: Kyu Sung Woo Architects
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

House II, Cambridge MA
Architect Kyu Sung Woo designed House II for his wife, a concert pianist, and himself: a couple in their late seventies who are still active, but starting to think about their changing needs. It is located on a small street in West Cambridge, next door to the home they built 30 years ago (House I) where they raised their two children.

House I was built behind a small, existing house to retain the character and scale of the street. The interior was organized vertically around an atrium, reflecting a courtyard typology prevalent in the architect?s native Korea. It is by nature an introverted building, situated behind the original farmhouse, and nestled into the property with privacy in mind.
House II has a narrow volume on the street side, which widens in the back, presenting a sleek, public facade while still maintaining a slim profile. The angle of the roof reflects the sloping topography of the site and the diagonal wooden truss in its framing introduces triangular geometry that is echoed repeatedly throughout the house.

It is designed to create a connection with nature, with full walls of glass on the ground floor, a large patio, and siting that maximizes garden space. Exterior materials were chosen for ease of maintenance as w...