Sala Hars' 301 Vanilla: A Gridded Enfilade Housing Model in Madison

Sala Hars, a Mexico- and Wisconsin-based architecture firm co-founded by Juan Sala and Douglas Harsevoort, has completed 301 Vanilla, a mixed-income housing project in Madison, Wisconsin. The project, developed by Neutral, is a proof of concept for middle-income housing that addresses economic constraints in the city. The design is based on a 12-foot-by-12-foot modular grid, prefabricated using cross-laminated timber (CLT) to meet Neutral's sustainability goals. The system eliminates corridors in favor of an enfilade layout with sliding pocket doors, creating long sight lines and flexible spaces. The architects were inspired by Abraham Lincoln's quote about sharpening an axe, emphasizing preparation and prefabrication. The exterior features three types of brick, arranged to create decorative frames around windows, drawing from the surrounding context of shingled houses, glassy new constructions, and neoclassical brick factories. The entry is set back to align with neighboring buildings, creating a small plaza with a lobby cafe. The CLT is left exposed, after Neutral petitioned the city for permission. The project aims to be a universal system that can be reconfigured for different locales. Key team members include Neutral Studio as architect of record, Bernau Studio as landscape architect, and Forefront Structural Engineers for structural engineering.