Cleveland, Ohio, USA
The Fox Residence stands as a testament to both continuity and innovation within its historic neighborhood of Duck Island, overlooking Cleveland’s industrial areas and the Cuyahoga River.
Situated on two formerly separate parcels, each once occupied by neglected homes, the residence was envisioned by a mother with three daughters who sought a space capable of accommodating their evolving needs over time.
In recognition of its architectural excellence, the Fox Residence has been awarded with a Honorable Mention in the 2024 American Architecture Awards by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design, and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies and a 2024 Future House Award by Global Design News and the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design.
The design solution divides the home into two distinct yet interconnected structures: a main house and a carriage house.
Physically linked by a single-story room at the center of the plan, which serves as the entrance to the main house, this layout not only repairs the fragmented sequence of houses along the street but also affords privacy ideal for multigenerational living.
The living quarters for each “generation” are strategically placed on different floors, while the ground floor of the main house functions as shared space for all residents, fostering familial interaction.
Externally, the residence maintains the appearance of two separate gabled-roof structures, resembling fraternal twins with similar yet distinct characteristics upon closer inspection.
The irregular and playful profiles echo a child’s simplistic drawing of a house, adding charm and character to the neighborhood.
Inside, a more formal organization governs the plan and section, guiding users through symmetrical, vaulted rooms on the upper floors and establishing axial relationships on the main floor with niches and ancillary rooms along the perimeter.
Despite its modest budget relative to size, the Fox Residence employs humble materials reminiscent of late nineteenth-century architecture.
Painted clapboard siding and asphalt shingles dominate the exterior, unified by a dark charcoal hue that visually integrates the two structures into a cohesive whole.
Inside, white walls and ceilings provide a neutral backdrop that enhances views of the changing seasons outside, emphasizing a connection to the natural environment.
The home’s design not only honors its historical context but also adapts to modern living needs, creating a harmonious blend of past and present in a neighborhood defined by its industrial heritage and quaint worker cottages.
As a result, the Fox Residence stands as a unique architectural expression that enriches its surroundings while providing a flexible and inviting living space for generations to come.
Project: Fox Residence
Architects: Horton Harper Architects
Lead Architects: Michael Horton, Westleigh Harper, and Kerry Sandoval
General Contractor: Berges Home Performance LLC.
Client: Private
Photographers: Peter Larson
