SsD Architects Coulter House
Description
This addition above an existing structure expands the experience of the house without physically making it bigger. The ‘interior-ness’ of the existing stone ground level is juxtaposed against the ‘exterior-ness’ of the new second level: The light-weight and light-filled spaces of the new second floor are separated into 3 separate pavilions. This fragmentation allows framed views to the surrounding landscape and new captured roof-gardens that both connect and separate the rooms. Through energy efficient passive techniques including stack ventilation and the strategic use of overhangs, the need for mechanical summer cooling is eliminated. In the winter the low-winter sun is harnessed to heat the thermally massive floor. A new second story (photo above) replaced the original dilapidated one (photo below). A new entry porch was added to unify the new and original architectures. Instead of increasing the size of the house, the new upper level is conceived of as 3 pavilions (right). The new spatial seams between the volumes expand the experience of the spaces creating a dynamic spatial contrast with the inward looking existing ground floor spaces (left). – – The space between the pavilions becomes a captured bamboo courtyard. 3 pavilions: The concept diagram shows how dividing the program into 3 pavilions allows the house to stay small while extending the sense of space from inside to outside. Passive solar techniques: A roof overhang blocks high summer sun while allowing low winter sun keeping the thermally massive floor cool in the summer and hot in the winter.
Details
Year: 2015
Architect
Description
This addition above an existing structure expands the experience of the house without physically making it bigger. The ‘interior-ness’ of the existing stone ground level is juxtaposed against the ‘exterior-ness’ of the new second level: The light-weight and light-filled spaces of the new second floor are separated into 3 separate pavilions. This fragmentation allows framed views to the surrounding landscape and new captured roof-gardens that both connect and separate the rooms. Through energy efficient passive techniques including stack ventilation and the strategic use of overhangs, the need for mechanical summer cooling is eliminated. In the winter the low-winter sun is harnessed to heat the thermally massive floor. A new second story (photo above) replaced the original dilapidated one (photo below). A new entry porch was added to unify the new and original architectures. Instead of increasing the size of the house, the new upper level is conceived of as 3 pavilions (right). The new spatial seams between the volumes expand the experience of the spaces creating a dynamic spatial contrast with the inward looking existing ground floor spaces (left). – – The space between the pavilions becomes a captured bamboo courtyard. 3 pavilions: The concept diagram shows how dividing the program into 3 pavilions allows the house to stay small while extending the sense of space from inside to outside. Passive solar techniques: A roof overhang blocks high summer sun while allowing low winter sun keeping the thermally massive floor cool in the summer and hot in the winter.
Details
Year: 2015
