This residence is sited in a natural clearing of aspen trees on a lot situated between the Teton Range and the Snake River in northwestern Wyoming. As the site is dominated by wetlands; natural water courses and man-made water features figure prominently in the design.
The house is orientated to capture views and provide favorable southern exposure. A building structure of regularly spaced bays defined by custom columns and trusses was utilized. The material palate attempts to reconcile the tension created between modern architectural form with traditional reclaimed exterior siding, and weathered cor-ten corrugated roofing. The interior materials offer a refined palate of laminated bamboo, polished concrete and Russian Birch millwork.
The barn structure of garage/family room and upstairs apartments are connected to the primary residence via an enclosed “floating” breezeway. Traditional dovetailed logs are finished with cast glass “chinking” to allow diffused light into the space by day and to provide a lantern effect by night. Evening luminescence is enhanced by the proximity of the buildings to the ponds and water features.
Carbon footprint issues were addressed by utilizing 100% reclaimed material for exterior siding and specifying materials that require none to little maintenance such as powder coated garage doors, teak windows,cor-ten roofing and fascia detailing.New wood was finished in a water soluable lifetime finish that slowly weathered to a protective base .
Interior finishes followed along this same thinking with concrete floors and bamboo ceilings. All interior birch casework was finished with a low-VOC finish of the cabinet maker’s own manufacture.
Heating and cooling is handled by a ground source heat pump utilizing ground water at 45 degrees Fahrenheit year round in an open-loop system. Cooling utilizes coil and ground water directly with no refrigerant needed further reducing the house’s utilization of non-renewable energy. Walls and ceiling insulation employ sprayed-in-place foam producing walls of R-39 and ceiling of R-65.
Ambient light levels are provided by LED light fixtures aimed up into the gabled ceiling. The fixtures are easily concealed by custom steel trusses. Specific accent lighting for art, and task lighting in bathrooms are provided by high output halogen type fixtures. A luminous “starry-sky” ceiling utilizes a fiber optic system and the pattern is the southern hemisphere’s constellations on the birth date of the owner, in Sydney, Australia.
Lighting control utilizes low voltage switching with the majority of the rooms operating on a pre-set condition at 60% of maximum to create a general low energy usage profile. The individual rooms can be overridden if specific tasks require it producing 100% output of available lumens.
A passive energy strategy is addressed through the use of high performance glazing and generous southern exposure. Concrete floors at these locations absorb heat during the day and supplement the radiant floor system. Electronically activated solar shades provide sun and glare control as well. Solar penetration into the space is primarily controlled by precise design of the roof overhangs.
Material Used :
1. Quantum Windows (PP&G Solar Ban 70 glass)
2. VM Zinc – Flashing
3. Tiger Wood – Exterior Terraces
4. Farmer’s Stone – Exterior Veneer
5. Valhalla Lifetime Wood Finish – Cedar Siding
6. Dornbracht – Plumbing Fittings
7. Kohler, Toto, and Elkay – Plumbing Fixtures
8. Reveal Designs – Door Hardware
9. Iris, Bruck, Lumeire, Bega, and LiteLab – Light Fixtures
10. EuropeanHome – Gas Fireplace
