Melbert is a compact house in downtown Raleigh between two major transportation corridors. The three-story structure draws from the row house as precedent – a simple masonry form, direct orientation to the street, and multiple levels to maximize density. The house ignores conventional program adjacencies. Public-facing living spaces are interwoven between all three floors, connected to a triple-height switchback stair that is the social spine of the house. On the ground floor, the kitchen extends to a terraced poolscape. The second floor offers a south facing dog run, while a rooftop deck features views of the rapidly evolving Raleigh city skyline.