The extensive
redesign of an existing one story spec house set out to weave the existing
house, the addition and the client’s lifestyle into its beautiful
landscape. The design departed
from the client’s interest in Native American arts and developed into a study
of how architectural elements interact with the environment.
The
facades are clad in a mahogany wood dowel screen threaded with copper tubes at
areas of roof drainage. On rainy
days, the house takes on a dynamic character as the water drains from the roof
on to the copper tubes, prompting their movement. As the copper develops water patterns, the house establishes
its own character within the landscape.
To emphasize the mahogany and copper screen, the overhangs, trim and
excess decoration were removed and the existing house was painted slate color
to fade into the background. The
screen walls and roofs also allow gradual spatial transition from interior to
exterior spaces because of their nature to be transparent or solid at different
times.
For the decks,
various width mahogany boards were used to create a wood woven blanket spread
over the site. The reveals in the
deck patterns are designed to orientate sightlines and movements through the
house and site. The rhythm of
architectural patterns and textures synchronizes with its surroundings allowing
the house to dissolve into nature.
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