Nov 15
Storage for 16,000 book, simplicity, and oodles of natural lighting.
The house appears to be a trapezoidal shape, all open on the interior. The largest side is all windows to funnel the light in and provide a natural panorama. The siding looks like the cheap corrugated metal siding, like what you’d expect to see in a junkyard; combined with the wood, in this setting, it works. The only change I might make would be to the porch: I’d like one large enough to relax and watch a storm roll in. Photos after the jump.
Thanks to notcot.org for bringing to my attention and Kitsune Noir for getting it out on the web.
January 14th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Holy Cow! Doug would LOVE that library!!
January 23rd, 2008 at 9:08 pm
I like the look but … what about energy efficiency? It looks like a ecologic nightmare. Insulation in ceiling/walls? Exterior siding offer little in insulation. Stilts open up the bottom of the house, dramatically increasing the exposed square footage that would have to be either super-insulated or use much energy to heat/cool. High ceilings are also generally inefficient. The slatted windows are very Hawaii so perhaps this is meant for a climate where there is little need for air conditioning or heat. Living space / sq ft ratio is very low (bc of high ceilings, no 2nd story or loft?) so again, very inefficient.
January 27th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
As you noted, energy efficiency is tied to geography; based on the vegetation in the first picture, this house looks like it’s in a tropical climate.
Calvin and I had a discussion about what it would take to get this house Michigan ready. I’d probably add in a second story loft (which this design may have, hard to tell) and bury the whole thing in a sand dune.
The large windows would be inefficient, but hopefully that would be offset by having the other five sides buried. Not sure if burying it in a sand dune would be practically or ecologically feasible, but it’s fun to imagine
January 29th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
I agree with all you say - I missed the tree clues. Makes more sense as a Hawaiian house. Your mods make it more like my current dream. We were doing a little 2 track adventure (scaring your Aunt Judy to death) in NC last fall. Picture parallel to a mountainside. Steep dropoff on the right; on the left a fence w/ occasional signs “Smokey Mtn Natl Pk”. I could see in that setting a home built into the mountain side with all sides underground (incl roof) except the front wall - which would be all glass overlooking the valley and mountains on the other side. I picture rubberized concrete walls (like ours) for sound deadening, strength and even more insulation. The (triple pane) glass, on the right site would be super for passive solar. I think this would work on a dune setting as well. I’d want numerous light domes (like in the guest bath) to bring light into other areas of the home. Too bad you don’t have an architect/builder dad! Maybe in my next life. Oh - and as long as we are dreaming the front wall/glass would be of the sort Lilly had in their Cray supercomputer show!