Briard Green Hybrid Residence by Sander Architects

Architects: Sander Architects
Location: Culver City, California, USA
Constructed: 353 sqm
Budget: US $500.000
Photographs: Sander Architects



Whitney Sander, principal architect and founder of the firm, has developed a way of creating residential buildings that is both very green and extremely efficient in terms of construction costs. He calls this Hybrid House: part prefab, all custom ™ as each house is completely customized to each client.Residence for a Briard is a 3,800sf house that is the first example of Hybrid House, the invention of Sander Architects, LLC.



Its structural frames and exterior walls and roof are all prefabricated off-site by warehouse manufacturers and shipped to the site in pieces on one flat-bed truck. This entire shell cost $22,000. These pieces then bolt together like an erector set in three weeks time. Once the shell is complete all interior walls, systems and finishes are completed in a traditional manner. The resulting Hybrid House is therefore custom designed for the client, the site, and local codes, at a small fraction of standard construction cost. The completed cost of Residence for a Briard is $500,000, or $130/sf. Equally important for a designer: the warehouse frames allow the scale of the interior spaces to be magnificent.



Residence for a Briard has 28′ ceilings in the great room. The system is also very simple to erect - the general contractor had never worked with it before and he became an enthusiastic convert.Designed for the President-Emeritus of the Architectural Foundation of Los Angeles, which promotes excellence in modern architecture in the greater Los Angeles area, this house needed to be of great design quality. One example of this is the dominant southern facade, which evolved during many hours of discussions of the arts and painting. The facade derives from a painting of a violin by Braque (”Aria of Bach,’ 1913).



This was especially appropriate as the client is also a music critic. As such, he requested that the house be a place where string quartets could come and play for an audience. So we provided the house with a great room surrounded by a suspended balcony. The long side of this balcony is a shallow stairway with long treads that are wide enough for two chairs side-by-side facing the performance area below. Beyond this is a flat, large landing where additional chairs can be placed. The handrails for both these areas are transparent glass, with grasses laminated into the glass below eye level. As well, the home makes extensive use of ecological/sustainable materials, systems and strategies, making this one of the greenest residences built in California to date. (See attached notes). We aimed to create an eco-friendly Case Study House for the 21st Century using construction strategies that radically reduce standard construction costs for custom homes. These strategies include the use of prefabricated structural frames and components, which allows for a construction cost far lower than competing fully-prefab modern homes.



GREEN MATERIALS AND STRATEGIES used in Residence for a Briard

* Rental unit creates increased density (less land use per person)
* Proximity to public transportation + all basic amenities within walking distance
* Site orientation maximizes passive heating and cooling
* Extensive glazing maximizes natural day lighting
* Multi-cell acrylic panels (with high R-value) for glazing reduces heat loss/gain
* Super-insulated building minimizes energy requirements to heat/cool.
* Recycled steel framing reduces overall building cost / reduces amount of steel
* Grey water system for landscape irrigation.
* Low-water / xeriscape landscaping and plants
* Bamboo flooring
* Sustainable kitchen / bathroom cabinetry
* Stained concrete floors: original concrete slab (fewer materials used)
* On-demand water heater
* Radiant heat connected to on-demand hot water heater
* Recycled steel framing
* Recycled denim insulation
* Eco-resin panels
* Low-flush toilets
* Linoleum flooring and wall covering in bathrooms
* Low VOC paint
* Energy star appliances
* Fluorescent light fixtures w/ programmable dimmers

Read More

The Maurer Residence by Allen + Maurer Architects

This residence is designed by Allen+Maurer Architects, located in Naramata, British Columbia, Canada.

From the architects:
No tree was cut, no rock was blasted, no contours remodelled. 4 small buildings surrounded by existing trees form a private, tranquill garden. The simple shed roofs flow with the land toward a splendid view of Okanagan Lake.



“Form-Follows-Physics” guided the design: simple roofs, no roof intersections, large overhangs, good ventilation, finishes that are durable and appropriate to the climate: tile flooring, metal cladding and -roofing, state-of-the-art Low-E glazing.

Placement of buildings, roof overhangs, existing mature trees, performance of glazing product, thermal mass of concrete slab and tile flooring, all reduce heat gain in summer and made air conditioning unnecessary.

Read More

Caretaker's Residence by Aidlin Darling Design

This Single-story home "Caretakers Residence" was designed by Aidlin Darling Design. The residence is placed between a forested mountain and rolling vineyard, a rammed-earth wall demarcates the primary spaces of this single-story house. Built of native earth and woven among existing trees, this monolithic wall anchors the building structurally, ecologically, and experientially. Floor-to-ceiling glass completes the building envelope and captures panoramic valley views. The glass and earth walls work together to orchestrate indoor-outdoor living and to provide passive heating and cooling.






















About the architects design philosophy:

Aidlin darling design balances the demands of artistic endeavor, functional pragmatics and financial considerations. The firm’s design approach is client and site specific while questioning conventional assumptions. A collaborative process including clients, fabricators and builders inspires a creative exploration resulting in appropriate solutions.






















The inherent spirit of place is uncovered and constraints are transformed into unique design. The individual character of each project emerges through poetic spatial relationships, material richness and exacting detail.

Read More

House IJburg, Amsterdam by Marc Koehler Architects

This House IJburg was designed by Marc Koehler Architects. ” The House IJburg is located on a small plot in IJburg; a suburb of Amsterdam. Designed as a vertical garden giving space to flora and fauna to grow in a densely urbanised area.

Closed private spaces contrast with open collective spaces, that seem to have been ‘carved out’ from the solid volume as a continuous transparent void. In this way the interior space is visually and physically connected to the street, the garden and roof terraces.





















Outdoor- and indoor spaces become one and natural daylight flows into the interior. 3 bedrooms, a small bathroom, WC and a ‘multipurpose hall’ are situated on the ground floor whereas the first floor remains completely open for living, cooking and eating, flooded with daylight.





















The hall is much more than an entry zone. It also functions as an artist studio, work desk, laundrette and playground. The façade contains specific brick detailing inspired by techniques from the famous Amsterdamse School style from the 1920’s.”

Read More

Modern Green Alley House for sale at $770,000

Designed by UrbanMix, this Alley House is a newly finished green home located in just one mile from downtown Seattle in Madison Valley. This high-performance home just received LEED Platinum certification last week and, for those that are interested, is on sale for ~$770,000. The home is on an advantageous urban infill lot and features some high-end finishes such as Caesarstone countertops, Kirei doors, and a Liebherr refrigerator.





















General Property Information :
SQFT: 1900
Year Built: 2008
Fireplace: 1 Views: Yes
Garage: 1+Car Off-Street Parking
Roof: Flat
Heat: High Efficiency, Radiant
Fuel: Natural Gas

Floors: Concrete, Other Renewable
Interior: Bath Off Master, Walk-in Closet
Exterior: Cement/Concrete, Stucco, Wood Products
Site: Cable TV, High Speed Internet, Nat. Gas Available





















In addition to a private bamboo garden, this home has some of the following green features :

· 50-60% Reduction in energy consumption
· Radiant in-floor heat, 5 controllable zones
· Green Roof & Rain Garden
· Bamboo courtyard
· Rainscreen siding system
· Solar Hot Water & Solar PV pre-wire
· Drainwater Heat Recovery
· SIP construction & ICFs
· Structural insulated panel (SIP) construction
· Insulated concrete forms (ICF) with high R-value
· Zero VOC finishes

Located at 222 26th Avenue, the Alley House will be open for public touring on Saturday, August 23. You already recycle, bring your own bags to the grocery store and drive a hybrid, so step up to Platinum and live your ideals.

Read More

The Courtyards at Belmar by Harvard Communities

Designed by Alvarez/Morris as one of Denver's most Innovative Architecture Firms , this Courtyards at Belmar is a unique enclave of ten contemporary patio homes. The Courtyards feature two distinct floor plans each with an open and airy main floor, a private side-yard patio/courtyard for great outdoor living and entertaining, and a two-car garage.





















Interiors feature extensive use of hardwood floors, maple kitchen cabinets, granite kitchen countertops, metal stair rails, and more. Modern architectural style incorporates rich materials creating excitement, drama and warmth…definitely something unique and special!

• An enclave of ten single family homes in an exciting urban environment. Belmar's only single family detached homes! Private court/alley access, adjacent to park/open space. Belmar’s only single family detached homes. Enjoy the privacy of a single family home in an exciting urban environment….a great combination! Click here for a virtual tour.





















• Two different home styles, each with over 2,900 square feet of dramatic finished space. Three bedrooms, full basements and two-car garages. Main floors feature high ceilings, open, airy and light filled spaces, with expanses of glass. Huge private deck off main floor living spaces – for great outdoor living!

• Low-maintenance “patio home” living, with a home owner’s association providing landscape maintenance and snow removal. Interiors feature extensive use of hardwood floors, maple kitchen cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, metal stair rails and more! Home personalization process allows for a wide range of options and finishes.





















• State-of-the-art energy efficiency design and technology makes all Harvard homes approximately 40% more energy efficient than a typical new home. The homes at The Courtyard’s are registered in three energy efficiency/green building programs, including Built Green Colorado, Energy Star and Environments for Living.

• Harvard’s “Home Personalization Program” provides a great opportunity to make the home just right for your needs and personal style. Contemporary yet warm architectural style – perfect for the award-winning Belmar environment. Great style inside and out. Innovative and inspired.





















• 10’ ceilings on the main floor and 9’ ceilings on the 2nd floor and the basement. Open and airy floor plans with expanses of glass. Huge sliding doors open up to private courtyards providing for great indoor-outdoor living. Granite kitchen countertops. Stainless steel appliances. Extensive use of hardwood floorsHigh quality cabinetry with a modern flair. Dramatic modern details throughout including interior trim, railings and fireplace designs. Super energy-efficient construction, with state-of-the-art insulation and mechanical systems. Registration in three energy-efficiency/green building program.

Read More

North Carlton Green House by Zen Architects

This North Carlton Green House is an extension to a single storey, two bedroom, Victorian terrace house project that was designed by Zen Architects for their client : Anne-Marie, This project is located in Melbourne, Australia with 166 square meters site area, 132 square meters building footprint area, 32 square meters floor area, and 45 square meters Outdoor garden area. This renovation and extension project cost $365,000 for its construction /execution.



Text from the architect, Zen Architects :

The client required that the small site (166 sq m) to maximum potential to increase the size of the house and also the garden space. We identified the client's passion for her garden and the sun, as an exciting opportunity to increase the local ecological diversity and absorb carbon dioxide. The brief also encompassed the aims of minimizing resource and energy use.

Response

Planning restrictions limited the ability to build upwards, so to increase floor area the footprint of the house had to increase. An increase in garden space would therefore require an innovative approach to integrating garden with the building.

Maximizing green space
The garden is integrated into the building to create a living, breathing, sustainable space that is a delight to inhabit.

Two courtyards contain garden beds that protrude into the house and a pond that reflects light onto the ceiling. A rooftop garden provides more garden and first floor planter boxes act as privacy screens. A curtain of tillandsia air plants articulates light, while wysteria provides external shade.



Water minimization
Water consumption is minimized through harvested rainwater and grey water use in the garden via automated irrigation systems that are sub-surface to minimize evaporation.

Conclusion
Renovation of existing house stock is essential for a sustainable future. Restrictive planning controls and client floor area demands can result in outcomes of big footprints and small green spaces.

The North Carlton Green House proposes a model where ecology is the foremost concern. Green space is increased, while demands of client and planning authorities are met. A series of similar houses layered with green space would link horizontally and vertically creating a healthy, green urban environment rich in bio-diversity.

Credits

* Text by Ben Callery, Courtesy of Zen Architects.
* Photographs by Emma Cross, Courtesy of Zen Architects.

Read More

Nolaster Architects project on Casa OS Spanish Green House

A private owned holiday sustainable home located in Cantabria, Spain. Designed by Madrid-based Nolaster Architects, Casa OS. This lovely home has a high-end technique, low-impact accommodation and integrates green building design. The irony is that the original design scheme wasn’t intended to be a green building, but the architects employed many green features for visual impact and practical benefits.

The front of the home looks out over the sea with the back end supported by stilts over a cavern in a dug-out hill. Combining this wind protection with insulating grass roof means that temperature is much easier and less energy-intensive to control and the building’s visual impact is much less imposing. Other features include an inner yard to provide an open space protected from wind and rainwater collection for reuse fushing toilets and watering the roof and garden in summer.

The black panels are zinc; ideal for seaside houses as it lasts longer. If desired, the entire house can be dismantled and reconstructed elsewhere, as the panels have been screwed together rather than welded. If not, the zinc can be recycled at the end of its useful life.

Sleeping up to 24 people but with use for only four in mind, the house was built to cater for a range of different uses and events. Certain areas, such as the south hall and vestibules, have been designed for flexibility, perhaps to serve as a dormitory, games room or welcome hall as required. Efficient underfloor heating allows temperature to be controlled room by room, consuming only as much energy as is needed. We love the modern aesthetic, gorgeous Euro context, and green materials and systems!

























































Via : Inhabitat.

Read More

Schmitz Country House Design by Felipe Assadi Architect, Calera Tango, Chile

Nice country house located in Calera Tango, Santiago, Chile is the house project for a marriage with no children that was done by Felipe Assadi Architects at a 4.5 Ha land area.

Calera Tango is a commune located one hour from the capital. It is located in an intermediate situation between the Andes Mountains and the Coastal Range, from which one can see both limits with great clarity throughout the year. This country house consist of great Living room, dinning room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, sauna, swimming pool and basement area.

Some areas of the body that are structural glazing were covered with Larch wood, a tree native aging with bright silver.

The "glass house" effects from ths house is technically exceeds using thermo-pane glass (glass couple) with a green dye, which filters out ultraviolet rays that create the greenhouse effect. As a run of folding windows at the top around the perimeter of the house, which develops a ventilation flush skies, which eliminates the potential layers of heat inside the compound.

































































































































The site of 4.5 ha is completely planted with fruit trees on a medium-size plot of 4 x 4 meters, perfectly geared to the cardinal points. Each tree is presented with a trunk of approximately one meter and foliage that occupies the following 2.5 metres.

The land at its east west direction has a slight slope of no more than 2% of which are irrigation canals, which would be a highly flooded area. The proportion of the trees in terms of its trunk and folia

Read More