This strawbale home was designed to relate to the surrounding environment and serve as a welcoming retreat for friends and family. The multinational owners wanted to uphold the inherent character of the majestic site – located at the cusp of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the San Luis Valley floor – throughout the process and in the final result. Designed to merge into its natural setting and link occupants with the outdoors, this modern Colorado home was also constructed to be energy efficient, sustainable and green in all aspects of the process.
- The longitudinal layout and low profile design harmonizes with the surrounding environment and the use of clerestory windows and appropriately placed apertures allows natural light and ventilation to reach all interior spaces.
- The one-story, varying floor-level home integrates into the existing topographical contours in such a way that natural drainage is not disturbed or modified, and low profile rooflines do not protrude above the treetops.
- A two-foot deep heat storing sand bed, inlaid with a hydronic, solar thermal system, evenly distributes and stores heat from the sun for several days and radiates through the concrete slab flooring.
- A post and beam structure with 14” strawbale insulation reduced the amount of wood needed for construction and provides a high level of insulation.
- Low-E glass double glazed windows help minimize the home’s energy consumption.
- Hydronic solar panels, and passive solar techniques supply over 80% of the energy.
- A trombe wall with southern glazing absorbs heat throughout the day, which it then radiates in the evenings, providing thermal comfort.
- Energy-Star appliances, dual flush toilets and natural landscaping reduce water consumption.
- Ecologically responsible construction methods were used throughout the process: wood from other construction projects were reused, extra strawbales were composted on site, and a tight construction perimeter was maintained to preserve the soils and vegetation surrounding the house. Natural features and vegetation on site were protected throughout the construction process, restored, or incorporated in the design.
Today, the home draws friends, family and guests in from across the world as a place of retreat and gathering – to slow down, relax and connect to nature.
Material Used:
1. Facade cladding- Stucco and hot rolled steel
2. Flooring- Concrete slabs with hydronic radiant tubing
3. Doors- Aluminum-clad wood, Hurd
4. Windows- Aluminum-clad wood, Hurd
5. Roofing- Thermoplastic Polyolefin membrane, Cold rolled steel fascia, T1-11 soffits
6. Interior lighting- Assortment of LED
7. Interior furniture- Custom built-ins, Birch Plywood
8. Interior Walls- Plaster
9. Trombe Wall- CMU filled with grout (covered with dark blue plaster for heat absorption)
