Periscope House

Residential

Boston, MA

2021

Within an overstuffed single-family residential neighborhood, Periscope House takes the periscope as its motivating force, choreographing turns and displacements of circulation and views within a tightly packed cubic volume. Curved walls and precise apertures gently reorient the body and the gaze to produce both extroverted views and introverted privacies, between exterior neighbors and interior occupants. The contradictory acts of turning within and looking afar, born of contradictory domestic desires, become linked ends of the periscope.

Fig. 1

Illustration of a periscope from “Histoire de la Nation Francaise,” Sciences, Volumes I and II, by Gabriel Hanotaux

Fig. 2

An exterior periscope shelters the main entrance while increasing square footage and providing expansive views over the Boston skyline.

Fig. 3

Interior periscopes turn the body and the gaze, softening corners and channeling private views.

Fig. 4

A periscope over the main entrance softens circulation and channels a private view.

Fig. 5–7

Worm’s-eye view diagram

Fig. 5

Worm’s-eye view diagram

Fig. 6

Worm’s-eye view diagram

Fig. 7

Worm’s-eye view diagram

Team: J. Jih, Liam Turkle
GC: Groom Construction
Structural Engineer: Andy Harris Engineering
Millwork: Reform

J. Jih

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Postured Assembly

Periscope House

Fig. 1

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Fig. 4

Fig. 5–7

Fig. 5

Fig. 6

Fig. 7

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

Fig. 5–7

Fig. 5

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Fig. 7

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