My interest in sustainable, "green" architecture began in the early nineteen-seventies. However, at that time, it was not easy to convince a client to pursue such an approach to architecture. For example, the passive solar design represented by this schematic model was considered too extreme and was not built.
Today, more and more building owners and designers are turning to sustainable building design. Organizations such as the US Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System are gaining in popularity.
This house was to be located in a grove of mature Aspen trees adjacent to the Roaring Fork River. The living, dining, kitchen, and bedroom areas were placed at the upper level. A garage, guest bedroom and workshop occupied the lower level, contained within a rubble masonry foundation wall. The triangular plan of the wall enabled the acute angle to be oriented in such a way as to divert potential runoff from a possible mudslide that could occur in a ravine several hundred yards away.
The upper floor was oriented to the south for maximum solar gain. The sun's energy would be controlled with shades and movable panels. These devices were to be included with an arrangement of solar panels to provide auxiliary heat and electricity. (The round form in the middle of the upper level is a hot tub.) The upper level contained 1,620 square feet (exclusive of decks). The 1,863 square feet of the lower level resulted in a total area of 3,483 square feet.
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