Sunrise-Sunset House
5,641 SF one-story residence plus 1,467 SF basement and 567 SF guest cottage located in the Blue Oaks PUD.
As spectacular and unique this site is in terms of its multiple view corridors, it is equally challenging. The vehicular and fire management access, the exposure to the neighboring properties, a very constrained building envelope and the sensitive natural habitat of the property, to name a few.
One of the primary design goals was to take advantage of the 180° views from both the interior and outdoor living spaces, while creating a sanctuary in relation to the two neighboring homes. In particular, the main living space was to be oriented toward the west/northwest view corridor to Windy Hill and the master bedroom suite oriented toward the eastern view to Foothills Park. Hence the sunrise to sunset design concept was born. The design is anchored by a strong east-west axis and interior circulation corridor. The massing of the home is purposely staggered and articulated off of the axis to allow for the integration of outdoor spaces with the interior spaces and with the natural topography.
The house’s exterior material palette can be described as both organic and modern, fitting for the raw natural setting of the site. There are several earth toned horizontal board form concrete walls parallel with the dominant east-west axis. The most significant of these being the architectural wall bordering the western terrace where guests enter through. Not only does this feature wall provide a strong identity to the guest entry, but also provides privacy to the neighboring house to the West.
The roof forms are a combination of very shallow curves, flat roofs and living roofs making the roofing largely invisible from surrounding areas. The prominent curvilinear profile in the roofline emulates the undulation of the surrounding hills.
The interior of the home consists of a simple palette of materials. There is extensive use of natural wood, exposed board form concrete walls, exposed structural steel with an acid patina finish and large format porcelain tile flooring throughout the interior and continuing seamlessly to the exterior terraces. With extensive glass walls including several large sliding doors, the line is blurred between the inside and outside.
THE HOME’S SUSTAINABLE FEATURES INCLUDE:
- Extensive clerestory windows for natural day-lighting and ventilation
- Motorized solar shades to control heat gain
- Triple glazed windows and highly insulated building shell to minimize the need for an active cooling system
- Photovoltaic system
- Several native Manzanita plants on site were boxed, preserved and successfully transplanted
- Gray water system
- Living roof at guest cottage