The Contextual House, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, challenges the conventional aesthetic and structural constraints of the traditional row house while honoring its history. Designed by LO Design, this project merges modern living with a unique blend of adaptive reuse, creating a dwelling that stands as both a tribute to Philadelphia’s architectural heritage and a bold statement of contemporary design. With the integration of new materials and structural elements alongside preserved foundational aspects, the house symbolizes a progressive approach to residential architecture within the city.

A person blurred while walking in a modern kitchen with black cabinets, wooden bar stools, and a large glass door letting in natural light.

From the outside, the Contextual House may appear to the casual observer as entirely new. However, the distinctive brickwork and angular design reference traditional patterns found along the historic block. By expanding a familiar brick detail into a continuous motif across the facade, LO Design managed to strike a balance between innovation and respect for the neighborhood’s character. This carefully reinterpreted pattern transforms the house into a modern canvas, creating a harmonious yet striking contrast with neighboring buildings.

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A modern interior featuring a wooden staircase with black metal railings beside a sleek kitchen with dark cabinetry and a large island counter. The space is illuminated by natural light from the window.

Inside, the layout diverges from the classic Philadelphia row home, offering a series of tall, open spaces across multiple levels. By adding a split at the second floor and a new third level, the design achieves high ceilings while maximizing the retention of original structural materials. This approach underscores the project’s commitment to sustainability, minimizing demolition waste and conserving valuable resources.

Modern living room with a dark blue sofa, two grey armchairs, a marble coffee table, and a large painting of a figure on the wall. A floor lamp arcs over the sofa, and a vase of flowers decorates the table.

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A modern staircase featuring black metal railings and light wooden steps against a white brick wall.

An ornamental U-shaped staircase flows through the interior. With perforated steel guardrails and open risers, this staircase serves as both a functional piece and a sculptural element. Widened to offer more generous access between floors, the staircase enhances the vertical connection of spaces and ushers daylight through the heart of the 1,950-square-foot structure.

A modern staircase with light wooden steps, black metal frame, and handrail is positioned next to a white brick wall.

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View from above of a modern, black metal staircase with wooden steps, showing the geometric design and sharp angles.

Within the home, a dynamic play of light and dark enhances the minimalist aesthetic. Dark volumes, including the kitchen, staircase, and bathroom vanity, provide bold accents against the lighter, airy surroundings of white walls and light wood floors. These contrasting masses create a visual serenity, lending an almost floating quality to the fixtures and emphasizing the spaciousness and calm throughout.

A modern bathroom with marble walls, a black vanity, a large mirror, a window showing greenery outside, and a pair of slippers on the dark tile floor.

A modern bathroom with marble walls and black vanity featuring double sinks, large mirror, and wall-mounted faucets. Two towels hang on the walls, and natural light filters in through a large window.

A minimalist room with a square skylight casting shadows on white walls and part of a mesh chair in the foreground.

Oversized glass openings extend the indoor environment outwards, inviting abundant natural light while preserving privacy. With large windows at the front and rear, light filters through each level, transforming as it interacts with the perforated steel railings of the staircase. This approach achieves a level of illumination rarely found in Philadelphia’s historic row homes and supports passive ventilation, enhancing comfort within the urban setting.

A modern sliding glass door on a building's rooftop, reflecting the city skyline in the background. The exterior is composed of sleek, dark panels.

A person stands on an elevated outdoor area with views of a city skyline under a clear blue sky.

A modern, three-story townhouse with a white brick facade and large rectangular windows, nestled between two traditional red brick buildings. A tree partially obscures the left side of the house.

The Contextual House has garnered attention from both the local community and the architecture field, earning an AIA Philadelphia Honor Award. The bold approach to reuse and adaptation has resonated with the neighborhood, drawing praise for its contemporary interpretation of a beloved housing style. This home illustrates that transformation does not always mean replacing the old with the new but can instead involve blending tradition with innovative vision.

A modern three-story brick townhouse with large windows and a black front door, flanked by older brick houses, and trees lining the street.

A low-angle view of a modern building facade adorned with interlocking white tiles and large black-framed windows, with trees and sky visible above.

Close-up of a modern brick wall with a textured pattern and a window above it, reflecting surrounding buildings.

For more on LO Design, visit lodesignco.com.

Photography by Round Three Photography.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.

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