The story of Taphouse begins with the garage. The garage, which is one of four interconnected 150 year-old structures on a corner lot nestled between Frederick Law Olmstead’s Patterson Park and Baltimore’s historic waterfront, has grown to become a thriving, unofficial social hub for the neighborhood since the property was acquired by the current owners in the mid 90’s.
While the overall conglomeration of formstone-covered row houses of the property remained largely untouched and in disrepair for many decades, the garage flourished. Growing from a purely functional space to house and repair the owner’s collection of vintage British sports cars, the garage morphed into something much greater over time. Complete with a television, a collection of chandeliers, beer taps, whiskey barrel tables and a fully restored U.K. phone booth, the space has become more tavern than garage over the years. However, while the garage has been full of life, the remaining portions of the house remained unconnected and in dire need of repair and restoration.
The solution to reinvigorate and unify the entire property centered around the surgical removal of one of the three original row homes in order to create an exterior room in which the energy of the garage could more seamlessly connect to the remaining living spaces of the house. This new courtyard, placed between the garage and the house, creates a seamless, light filled transition between the two major elements.
Rising above the street, the formstone was peeled away to reveal the traditional masonry mass and rhythmic punched fenestration common to the surrounding context. Centrally, the masonry volume recedes to permit the addition of a dark platonic wooden cube which ends the house proper and appears to hover over an intimate exterior courtyard. The cube, clad with a heat-treated ash rainscreen, latches onto the masonry volume simultaneously framing one edge of an upper floor terrace and acting as the primary facade for the courtyard. The box is carved to reveal balconies strategically placed to take advantage of dynamic views towards the waterfront.
Throughout the house, sustainability is essential. The house is heated hydronically with floor and wall components and us a compact energy recovery ventilator (ERV) system for fresh air while reducing energy use across all seasons. The entire exterior envelope blends a liquid applied air barrier with an open-cell spray foam insulation and the heat-treated ash rainscreen avoids chemical treatment of the wood and employs a water-based sealant. Significant roof areas are EPDM cool roofs (light reflecting) which reduce the heat island effect and are extremely durable.
Material Used :
1. Kitchen Cabinets - Greenfield
2. Kirtchen Counters - R.Bratti (Supplier) - Copper Dune (polished marble)
3. Kitchen Appliances - Sub-zero + Bosch
4. Windows - Andersen
5. Thermal Envelope - Tremco ExoAir 230 air/vapor barrier
6. Roofing - Firestone
7. Masonry - Redland Rocky Ridge Bourbon Street Molded Brick
8. Wood Siding + Flooring - Arborwood Thermo-Modified Ash (w/ Penofin Red Label stain)
9. Misc Metals - Bill’s Portable Welding + McNichols (grating)
10. Pavers - EP Henry Devonstone, Color: Blue Pennsylvania Bluestone 12x24
11. Glass Railings - CRLaurence Glass Standoff Railing System
