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As one of the fastest growing cities in the country, Raleigh is experiencing the need for housing densification and is fostering new centers for community growth. LOHA’s South E8 brings four units to a lot that previously had one. Local developer Merge Capital commissioned LOHA to masterplan a 3-ha mixed-use project before they sold the site and used the profit to develop South E8, a ten-minute walk from the State Capitol. This project is another in LOHA’s consistent track-record of prioritizing the balance of social equity with urban context. SouthE8 strives to make efficient the ecological footprint of dwellings in the community by condensing housing creatively and bucking the preconception of "compact" feeling cramped.
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LOHA’s aim is to create modest landmarks in harmony with the urban grain and enrich the lives of students and tenants of limited means. The interior uses the massing to create exceptional spaces with plenty of natural light. The roof decks frame the Downtown skyline and provide additional gathering spaces. On the exterior, the brick patterning strategy at the base leads to a metal paneling as the home rises. South E8 exemplifies the typology of how to densify Raleigh, while retaining neighborhood identity.
SouthE8 uses operable windows on opposite sides of units to provide passive cooling and recessed windows for solar shielding. Units include efficient appliances and low-flow plumbing fixtures, exceeding building and energy standards. We utilized local material sourcing as much as possible, with 100% recyclable Metal panel siding. It is all electric, utilizing insta-hots for hot water, heat pump with condenser for HVAC, and low energy LED light fixtures. The design prioritizes airflow, daylighting, and space, utilizing double-height with mezzanine to alleviate heat in summer months.
Metal cladding and an asymmetrical roof define the exterior of South E8. In addition, SouthE8’s innovative floorplan integrates living quarters with roof decks and outdoor spaces. The roof deck facing west on the street elevation offers views of downtown, and a deck on the east side of the building that acts as a quieter, more introspective space. The placement of the operable windows also add character to the exterior of the structure. Utilizing an efficient footprint, passive design strategies and recyclable materials, this project brings sustainable approaches to a future vision of housing in the area.
Overall, the building was designed to provide a template for how to create denser housing in Raleigh that is sensitive to context.
Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects [LOHA] harnesses the complexities of urban society to create transformative architecture. Our work is driven by ruthless optimism, creative pragmatism, and a conviction that bold, enlightened design elevates the soul and enriches communities.
Since 1994, LOHA has built over 100 projects across three continents. Based out of our studio in Los Angeles and Detroit with twenty-five designers, our diverse work ranges from large, mixed-use developments and university residential complexes to art galleries and bus shelters. LOHA has been published in over 20 countries and recognized with over 100 awards, including the Architect Magazine’s ARCHITECT 50 #1 Design Firm Award, AIA California Council Distinguished Practice Award, and AIA Los Angeles Firm of the Year Award.
