Located in Kansas City, US, the Artery Residence is a very special home. It was designed by Huff Projects with the express purpose to serve as shell for the owners’ extensive art collection. Their clients, a couple of serious art collectors recognized worldwide, wanted their new home to be all about art and the way in flows throughout the spaces, breathing life and beauty into the volumes and following a path, a main artery from where the name of the project is derived.
The cantilevered volumes house the living spaces, exposing them to beautiful views and lots of natural lightThe glazed facade faces the backyard and a large swimming pool, bringing the outdoors inThe architects used a limited palette of materials, colors and textures in order to allow the focus to be on the artwork and the views
It’s not just the interior spaces which are infused with curated works of art but also the outdoor areas as well. The architects and the owners found the perfect way to display large-scale sculptures throughout the property, with the express purpose to inspire the viewer to experience the art. It all sounds quite poetic so far so let’s also talk about a few technical details of this project. The upper level of the house houses five bedrooms, two offices, a kitchen and a dining room while the living spaces are contained in cantilevered volumes clad in cedar and aluminum. At the heart of the house is a large gallery space which is connected to a double-height atrium.
The upper level contains five bedrooms, each with its own share of beautiful views and stylish decorThe architecture and design of the house are simple and meant to put an emphasis on the owners’ art collectionIn addition to the five bedrooms, the upper level also houses two offices, one for him and one for herThe living area is a cozy and welcoming space, with large windows and a comfortable sectional sofa in a color that matches the rugThere’s no part of the house, inside or out, which lacks artwork, whether in the form of paintings, sculptures or photographsLarge overhangs provide shade for the interior spaces and act as buffers between the indoor and outdoor zonesThe high-end kitchen features a large island with an exquisite light fixture hanging above itSpecial attention was given to the lighting, in particular in the gallery space where artwork is displayedThe kitchen, dining area and living space are all connected, forming a large open spaceThe light fixture displayed above the kitchen island is in a way a work of art as wellCurated works of art are displayed not just in the gallery but also in the bedrooms and living spaces. There are also sculptures strategically placed outdoorsWhen seen from a distance, the house doesn’t look that extraordinary but this apparently common shell is a cover for unique artAn abundance of natural light enters the master bathroom through the full-height windows, being reflected in the large mirrorsthe gallery features specific lighting and climate control which are crucial for the good preservation and display of the art piecesThe bedrooms have full-height windows as well as long, lush curtains able to provide privacy when neededThe art collection expands out of the gallery into the atrium, revealing the arteries which gave the house its name
