Autem Row
Multifamily
Architecture + Interiors
16 units at 1,715 sf
Phoenix, Arizona
Autem Row is an array of sixteen three-story townhomes, with a central ‘walk-street’ garden court concept at its heart, designed to foster community. Its main path connects all personal gardens and common open spaces—from the Front Porch arrival on Maryland, to the mid-block Shade Garden, to the Water Terrace pool deck. Each dwelling opens out to a multi-tiered landscape, with full-height glazing connecting indoor and outdoor spaces on all levels.
Autem Row considers its environment. Foremost its walk-street court creates a microclimate, with minimized heat-island effect and biomass of plantings. Stepped overhangs at each story provide east and west shade, reducing total energy consumption. And water runoff is managed to benefit plantings wherever possible.
Autem Row townhomes are designed to read individually, with a rhythm of notched volumes maintaining a sense of residential scale. Materials are a contrast of simplicity: A grounded base of dark zinc-colored metal panels provides a scale break and acts as a backdrop for plantings, while two levels of pale smooth stucco float above, creating a crisp sculptural play of light and shadow. Dark framed windows punctuate the lighter masses.