Hudson Street Cottages
The Hudson Street Cottages were planned as a new model of in-fill residential housing within an existing neighborhood of bungalows in West Asheville on a very small .61 acre site. We researched “cottage codes” in other cities, primarily in the Northwest, and proposed this high-density clustering of six small 3-bedroom single family homes and one carriage house duplex with parking for the site below, as an approach to increase affordable housing. This project led to the City of Asheville developing a new “cottage” code to encourage others to do this type of urban infill project. The six single-family houses (each under 1,200sf), and one duplex (with two 900sf units) are clustered around a common community garden at the center of the site. An arbored gateway provides entrance from Hudson Street. Parking and private storage is provided under the duplex unit. Open living areas that have a visual connection to the landscape create a feeling of expansiveness in what are compact units. The second floor has a screened sleeping porch, typical of older homes in the neighborhood, that also allows for future expansion of heated space down the road. The units are all sustainably designed featuring solar hot water radiant heating and domestic hot water pre-heating. These units have been certified through the NC Healthy Built Homes program. The units have wood framed 2x6 stud walls; hardiboard siding; stained concrete slab (with radiant flooring) at the lower level; bamboo flooring at the upper floors; whole house air exchanger; dual flush toilets; compact fluorescent lighting; loXVOC paints; low-E windows; indigenous planting; Energy Star appliances; and solar hot water. The builder made maximum use of manufactured lumber and efficient framing techniques.
