ROAR One

As cities change and grow, it has become imperative to develop sustainable and flexible housing models that are affordable, curb unnecessary commuting, and cultivate strong communities of diverse people. This was the lofty goal for ROAR_one – to be a catalyst for a new type of live-work culture and challenge the highly-standardized layouts of most modern condominiums.

The 10-unit mixed-use building makes the most of continuous ‘void spaces’ excluded from density calculations that stretch from the front of the building to the back – design elements such as patios, courtyards and sky gardens (which also allow for maximum daylight and air flow).

Each unit features two levels with a double-storey high interior and exterior space that flows together seamlessly – a house in the sky. Aluminum grating sliding screens and extensive bamboo planting regulates seasonal heat gain and gives privacy.

The team negotiated the maximum permissible building volume and envelope, then pushed the boundaries of programming. Fast + Epp was brought on board to provide structural engineering support for the building’s outside-the-box design, including extensive exposed structure and concrete construction.

Despite its significant architectural features, the project was built at a cost lower than the typical construction cost for comparable developments.