QUIVAS is a modern single-family residence completed by Tres Birds Workshop in Boulder, Colorado in 2010. The project brief prioritized net-zero energy consumption, with architectural decisions shaped by solar orientation and energy modeling during design development. The compact site required strategies to balance energy efficiency with comfort for family living.
Design choices include solar thermal heating, on-site photovoltaic energy production, and a green roof at the balcony level to aid in temperature regulation. The envelope employs highly insulated mass walls and R-9 fiberglass windows. The structural frame uses reclaimed steel, while exterior and interior brickwork incorporates salvaged materials from demolished Denver buildings. Interior finishes feature repurposed high school bleacher wood, beetle kill pine, and a single rosewood column. Heating and cooling can be remotely controlled, enabling real-time management of the home's energy use.
