This LEED Platinum, Net Zero Energy single-family home celebrates its – and our – existence in the intersection between earth and sky. In response to a pre-existing graded topography with an artificial elevated plateau, one arrives low onto the site, and ascends through carved spaces into a series of airy glass pavilions. These indoor-outdoor living spaces are anchored by rammed earth walls and sheltered under kite-like floating roofs. Extensive use of glass, much of which is operable, helps to obscure the boundary between inside and outside, connecting the interior to the landscape, meeting the owner’s request to feel as though they are living in a natural garden.
The owners set ambitious sustainability goals from the outset of the process. They proposed LEED Platinum certification and Net Zero Energy, both to guide their own responsible decision making and to be a model for their community. With that as a starting point, the project strove to integrate ecological responsibility holistically into the design of the building, such that sustainability performance and architectural expression become one inseparable whole.
The two principal tectonic components are the rammed earth walls and the folded roof planes. The walls are built using soil harvested on site. They provide thermal mass, regulating temperature fluctuations and participating in the heating and cooling of the interior – and lightening the demand placed on mechanical systems. They are highly durable, pest- and rot-resistant, and very low maintenance These heavy earthen walls bracket space within a seamless landscape, demarcating public and private zones while providing a sensual tactility.
The floating roof planes also integrate multiple sustainable design strategies in a singular gesture. Their asymmetric butterfly forms vector interior spaces outward to the landscape. The folded shape tips solar panels toward the sun. Their valleys direct rainwater to collection cisterns, efficiently draining the roof surface without extensive plumbing while also visually expressing the concept of rainwater harvesting. Their overhangs are calibrated, working in tandem with window shades, for both shade and light - to provide abundant daylight to the interior, passive heat gain in winter, and shade in summer. Their soaring, lightweight forms inspire ones eyes upward to the sky, and juxtapose with the anchoring mass of the earthen walls – strengthening both elements through their mutual contrast.
Material used :
Home Automation
Brief Detail: Lutron Homeworks, Sonos
Company Name: VIA Home (no longer in business)
Millwork
Brief Detail: Oak paneling
Company Name: Box Cab Co
Entry Door
Brief Detail: Custom design by Aidlin Darling, walnut with steel frame and bronze pull
Company Name: woodwork by Liberty Valley Doors; metalwork by Chris French Metals
Countertops
Kitchen
Brief Detail: Verde Amazon stone, live-edge Elm wood slab
Company Name: Stone by Pietra Fina; wood by Arborica
Bathrooms
Brief Detail: Custom concrete with integrated sinks, design by Aidlin Darling
Company Name: Concreteworks
Tilework (please specify for kitchen and master bathroom.)
Bathrooms
Brief Detail: Glass tile; “Azure / Obo” at Kids bath, custom mosaic at Guest bath
Company Name: Ann Sacks
Flooring
Typical floor throughout the house, unless noted otherwise
Brief Detail: Custom engineered walnut
Company Name: First, Last and Always
Master Suite and Guest Bedroom
Brief Detail: Cork tile
Company Name: Duro Design
Landscape Design
Brief Detail: Garden, terraces, driveway, walkways, entry stairs, swimming pool & spa
Company Name: Lutsko Associates
Pool
Brief Detail: Swimming pool with in-pool spa, design by Aidlin Darling and Lutsko Assoc
Company Name: Lifetime Pools
Doors
Brief Detail: Custom design by Aidlin Darling
Company Name: Liberty Valley Doors and Box Cab Co
Windows
Brief Detail: Narrow-sightline aluminum sliding glass doors and windows
Company Name: Vitrocsa, provided by Goldbrecht USA
Brief Detail: Custom butt-glazing with concealed fiberglass frames
Company Name: Goldbrecht USA
Brief Detail: Aluminum curtain wall, with awning and hopper inserts
Company Name: Schuco, provided by Goldbrecht USA
Brief Detail: Aluminum sliding glass doors and windows at Kids and Guest bedrooms
Company Name: Fleetwood
Cabinetry
Brief Detail: Custom design by Aidlin Darling
Company Name: Box Cab Co
Metal Work
Brief Detail: Lattices, kitchen island, range hood, bathroom vanities, bathroom accessories, game room cabinetry, bronze handrails
Company Name: Chris French Metals
Brief Detail: Spiral stair
Company Name: Product and Design
Brief Detail: Exterior cor-ten steel panels
Company Name: Copper Iron Designs
Stucco/Concrete
Brief Detail: Plaster soffits
Company Name: Kurt Meiswinkel Inc
Brief Detail: Structural / finish concrete (walls, tower)
Company Name: Pollo Construction
Brief Detail: Precast concrete sinks, bathtub, shower basins, countertops
Company Name: Concreteworks
Stonework
Brief Detail: Kitchen and Media Room counter fabrication
Company Name: Stone Etc
Brief Detail: Garage façade, entry stairs, landscape paving
Company Name: Maidenstone
Appliances
Brief Detail: Dishwasher
Brand: Miele
Brief Detail: Refrigerator / Freezer
Brand: Liebherr
Brief Detail: Wall oven and microwave
Brand: GE Monogram
Brief Detail: Cooktop
Brand: Gaggenau
Brief Detail: Range hood
Brand: Custom design by Aidlin Darling
Brief Detail: Laundry
Brand: LG
Appliances were sourced through the General Contractor; source unknown to Architect.
Sinks (kitchen and master bathroom.)
Brief Detail: Kitchen, stainless steel undermount
Brand: Seamless Sink
Brief Detail: Bathrooms, custom design by Aidlin Darling and Concreteworks
Brand: fabricated by Concreteworks
Faucets (kitchen and master bathroom.)
Brief Detail: Kitchen sink, touchless pull-out
Brand: Delta
Brief Detail: Bathroom sinks and showers; master bath with custom patina finish
Brand: Dornbracht
Brief Detail: Powder Room sink, touchless
Brand: Brizo
Bench:
Brief Detail: Custom design by Aidlin Darling
Company Name: wood supplied by Arborica, fabricated by Box Cab Co; metalwork by Chris French Metals
