Year: 2025 Design & Honor Awards | Category: Residential Under $1M

The Glen Iris project is a modern residence blending nature with contemporary design to create a serene living space. Defined by a minimalist block-like structure, its rooftop terrace and large windows enhance outdoor connections while providing durability and energy efficiency. Inside, high ceilings and expansive glass walls invite natural light and lush greenery, fostering tranquility. Warm materials like wood flooring and stone accents add texture to the sleek design. A central courtyard serves as a calming focal point, visible from multiple rooms. Designed for versatility, the home adapts to diverse lifestyles, embodying thoughtful and enduring modern architecture.

Design Challenge

The Glen Iris project’s primary design challenge was to create a private, light-filled home that maintained strong connections to nature within a dense urban environment. The design achieves this through several innovative features. At the heart of the home is a central courtyard, a serene sanctuary that brings nature indoors while providing a private outdoor space shielded from the city’s bustle. Expansive glass walls maximize natural light and frame views of the courtyard and rooftop terrace, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor experience. The use of concrete blocks enhances the home’s durability and energy efficiency, while natural materials like wood and stone add warmth and texture to the interior. Additionally, the rooftop terrace extends the living spaces upward, offering panoramic urban views and a peaceful outdoor retreat. Together, these design strategies harmonize aesthetic appeal, functionality, and sustainability, demonstrating a thoughtful and innovative approach to urban residential design.

Firm
Lightroom Studio, LLC

Owner
Alex Wu, AIA

Project Location
Atlanta, Georgia

Completion Date
01/01/2022

Architects and Designers
William J Carpenter, PhD, FAIA
Chad D Reineke, AIA