436 Indiana Street House
This house is part of the Pinkney neighborhood’s charming 400 block of Indiana Street in Lawrence, Kansas. It is adjacent to a canopy of mature trees. It is a unique setting for a single-family residence in the heart of the city. There is easy access to many valuable living amenities. Just a few blocks away is the Lawrence Memorial Hospital as well as downtown Lawrence which pulses with vibrant shopping, dining, and cultural experiences. Also nearby is the Kansas River which is a National Water Trail with its waterfront parks that extends up to downtown. There is also nearby access to the recently completed Lawrence Loop bike route, an urban greenway that runs for 22 miles through and around town. As well as being pedestrian friendly, the Pinkney neighborhood is connected to the city bus system which expands the possibilities of travel around Lawrence without a car. It is a perfect place to integrate the history of Lawrence with the future of sustainable design.
The Indiana Street Residence was built to the U.S. Green Build Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum Standards. The highest certification level possible under the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) standards for sustainable practice. The house is targeted to be Studio 804’s 17th Platinum certified project. Such efforts fit the mission of Studio 804: to better the community and environment by minimizing negative environmental impacts by all metrics.
The site had not been previously developed and the lot was overgrown. It is adjacent to a large tree covered stormwater swale that is part of a flood zone with a small portion encroaching on the building site. Studio 804 saw potential in the location despite the challenges. Because of the stormwater easement, there is no alley running behind the lot like there is in most of Lawrence. Instead, the flood zone has become an extended woods. Studio 804 protected the vital function of this stormwater swale while taking advantage of the lush greenery that had been allowed to grow unhindered for decades. The indoor views of the house and outdoor gathering spaces are located to create the feeling of being secluded among the trees.
Studio 804’s 2024 project aligns with the long-term mission of the City of Lawrence to support sustainable development as part of creating a sustainable community. Part of this effort is analyzing local economic and demographic trends and strategically adapting. In recent years, both the City of Lawrence and Studio 804 have recognized trends in the housing market of Douglas County. The population is growing at a high rate, while the average household size is dwindling and availability of property in the existing city limits is diminishing. Community engagement during a city study found that residents are open to seeing smaller lots and houses. The city adopted the Horizon 2040 plan which prioritizes infill development and interior growth increasing urban density in established neighborhoods like Pinkney neighborhood.
The Indiana Street Residence was built to the U.S. Green Build Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum Standards. The highest certification level possible under the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) standards for sustainable practice. The house is targeted to be Studio 804’s 17th Platinum certified project. Such efforts fit the mission of Studio 804: to better the community and environment by minimizing negative environmental impacts by all metrics.
The site had not been previously developed and the lot was overgrown. It is adjacent to a large tree covered stormwater swale that is part of a flood zone with a small portion encroaching on the building site. Studio 804 saw potential in the location despite the challenges. Because of the stormwater easement, there is no alley running behind the lot like there is in most of Lawrence. Instead, the flood zone has become an extended woods. Studio 804 protected the vital function of this stormwater swale while taking advantage of the lush greenery that had been allowed to grow unhindered for decades. The indoor views of the house and outdoor gathering spaces are located to create the feeling of being secluded among the trees.
Studio 804’s 2024 project aligns with the long-term mission of the City of Lawrence to support sustainable development as part of creating a sustainable community. Part of this effort is analyzing local economic and demographic trends and strategically adapting. In recent years, both the City of Lawrence and Studio 804 have recognized trends in the housing market of Douglas County. The population is growing at a high rate, while the average household size is dwindling and availability of property in the existing city limits is diminishing. Community engagement during a city study found that residents are open to seeing smaller lots and houses. The city adopted the Horizon 2040 plan which prioritizes infill development and interior growth increasing urban density in established neighborhoods like Pinkney neighborhood.