Stack House

This renovation and addition transforms a one-storey industrial building into an artist’s home, integrating studio, gallery, and living spaces within a compact urban footprint. Working with modest means, Stack House pursues an ambitious agenda of environmental sustainability through adaptive reuse, extending the life of the existing structure while avoiding the impacts of demolition and reconstruction.

At the centre of the intervention, the roof is opened to create a soaring 12 metre volume. Clerestory windows bring daylight deep into the plan, illuminating what was once a dim interior. Guided by passive solar principles, carefully calibrated overhangs shade south-facing glazing during summer months while allowing solar gain in winter. The triple-height space functions as a thermal chimney, supporting natural ventilation and reducing reliance on mechanical systems.

Material continuity reinforces this approach. The original concrete floor and gallery-like white walls are retained, while reclaimed Douglas fir from the existing roof structure is reintroduced as a continuous ribbon through the stair and upper level. A high-efficiency wood-burning stove is integrated within a custom millwork volume, consolidating storage and domestic functions.
Above, four green roofs transform the building into a planted topography. Landscaped with indigenous species, they absorb stormwater, mitigate urban heat gain, and provide accessible outdoor space, connecting daily life to seasonal change.