Private Apartment

La Crosse, Wisconsin

The challenge was to design an apartment unit on the top floor of the owner’s four-story historic building with the goal of designing a two-bedroom apartment that would accommodate a married couple who enjoys living in a downtown setting. The owners expressed strong sentiments for an open, flowing central plan that exploits the natural materials of the 100-year-old structure. They asked that the main living spaces be open to one another.

A penthouse has been programmed to include a sitting area, as well as access to the roof for a future rooftop garden. The existing building is located in the center of the Commercial Business District of La Crosse. The main facade is facing a busy downtown street and the rear of the building opens into an alley. There are buildings adjacent to both sides of the building. The building is important to the fabric of the downtown streetscape. The use of simple forms and materials were used to contrast with the natural materials of the existing building.