Mixed Use Residential and Retail Building

The small site was maximized for building area and includes retail/office space on the first floor, two residential apartments with private balconies on the second floor, and two residential apartments on the third floor. Designing within the borough’s zoning ordinance for allowable building height, the third floor is designed to fit under the roof. Technically, this level is defined by the building code as an “attic” and could only occupy a maximum square footage of one-third the area of the floor below. 

As such, the units on this level had to be meticulously designed to fit under the roof with adequate headroom for each portion of living space. The client wished to construct this with non-combustible materials and the building is steel framed with metal “C” stud wall and roof construction. There is a 2-hour fire protection assembly separating the first and second floors and the building is protected by a fire protection system (fully sprinklered).