FIVE TWELVE HOUSE

The 512 House, named for both its street address and the pitch of its distinct gable roof, is Traction’s first design–build project. In addition to serving as architect, the firm acted as general contractor, overseeing all aspects of construction.

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Situated on a narrow lot overlooking Seddon Channel and the Port of Tampa, the house faces a constant flow of activity — from sailboats and freighters moving through the channel to cyclists, joggers, and small aircraft passing nearby. The design weaves these dynamic surroundings in and out of the living spaces, operating both as a reflection of the site and as a lens through which to experience it.

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The building’s pared-down gable form echoes the pure geometries of the cylindrical silos and boxy warehouses across the channel. Aluminum tube decking and stainless steel netting at the porches reference the intricate mechanics of nearby industry while providing durable yet transparent surfaces. Exposed concrete columns and beams anchor the building to the ground and elevate the living spaces above the flood elevation. At the entry, a powder-coated green door reflects shifting patterns of sun and water, lending a sense of lightness to an otherwise solid material palette.

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The simplicity of the exterior form belies a more complex interior sequence of stacked and interlocking spaces. Strategically placed double-height volumes reveal the split-level section and create a range of spatial experiences within a modest footprint. A wide, open living space spans the length of the house, buffered at each end by porches that mediate between the private interior and the active street and waterscape beyond. Along both sides, sliding glass panels open to capture breezes from the channel and support passive ventilation throughout the year.

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Folded steel plates form a switchback staircase that connects each level of the home. On the second floor, the steel reappears as a bridge spanning the open dining area, illuminated by a large north-facing skylight that brings indirect daylight deep into the interior. In the study, built-in walnut cabinetry transitions seamlessly from desk to shelving to window seat, accessed from a hallway a half level above. Overhead, the gable-shaped metal roof is expressed as a sloped wood ceiling, evoking the interior of a ship’s hull and creating more intimate spaces for retreat within the home’s active context.