512 House / Traction Architecture

Situated on a narrow lot overlooking Seddon Channel and the Port of Tampa, the 512 House fronts a bustle of multi-modal activity – from sailboats and freighters moving up and down the channel, to cyclists and joggers speeding along the street, to small airplanes taking off and landing at a nearby airport. The house weaves its rich surroundings in and out of its spaces, its design both a reflection of its dynamic site and a portal through which to experience it. The building’s pared-down gable form echoes the pure geometries of the cylindrical silos and boxy warehouses across the channel. On the porches, flat bar-grate decking and railings made of metal netting evoke the intricate mechanics of machinery while providing sturdy yet transparent surfaces.