Wooden frame workshop in the United States. American Architecture Prize 2017

Valerie F. Schweitzer Architects won the American Architecture Prize in 2017 with this realization. The art workshop in Westport, Connecticut, was inspired by the shape of a butterfly's wing clasp

Inspired in part by the closing wings of a butterfly and other organic forms, this 350-square-foot art studio and private office for a family home in Westport, Connecticut offers a serene haven. Like splinters protruding from the earth, the studio's corner panels clad in stucco and recycled teak give it a primitive yet futuristic quality. The structure exploits the potential of glass, wood and steel

The large steel and thermally insulated glass skylight eliminates the need for daylight, even for an artist. It also creates an airy atmosphere despite the confined floor plate. Efficiency is aided by the sealed cast concrete floor that contains radiant heat pipes; you can move a desk on wheels throughout the space

Because of the skylight and narrow windows, there is a strong sense of privacy and a sense of being hidden from the rest of the world. The sight of changing skies and light creates an optimal space for flickering reflection during artistic production. Cross-ventilation is achieved thanks to the carefully positioned windows that trap the winds from the nearby Long Island Sound. A half bath is included