PASSSIVE HOUSE DINNER

On Sunday evening, 9/22/13, I was able to join in with a number of Passive House California members and enthusiasts at a dinner with Dr. Wolfgang Feist. He is co-creator of the Passive House Standard and the founder of the Passive House Institute.  With him was Dr. Witta Ebel,  his wife and director of the Passive House Institute, Darmstadt, Germany.

Two comments from Dr. Wolfgang Feist, an engaging, earnest, and at times self-deprecating individual, seem just right.

“You live in a ‘lucky’ climate.”         “Open the windows.”

Some background – at first glance the PH Standard appears rigid and narrowly focused.  In application does it really reflect how people live? Does it work here for our Bay Area climate? How about other California climate zones?  Or In Hawaii? Does it constrain architectural design too much?

I interpret his two simple comments this way: 

‘Lucky” , aside from the good weather we enjoy, means less effort and investment is required to meet the goals of the PH Standard. More importantly the PH Standard is quite flexible. It is not just a cold weather standard. PHI recently did studies in Mexico to tune the Passive House Standard to warmer and hot climates where cooling is the issue. So it works here.

“Open the windows” tells me the PH Standard, while leading the way to energy efficiency, energy reduction and direct action re: climate change, also addresses simple human comfort, needs and options. Having good weather? Open the windows!

A FRESH VIEW - THE SEA RANCH CHAPEL

I noticed two things of note visiting the Sea Ranch Chapel website today.
The first is this very special perspective through an aerial view of the Chapel, with its dynamic shape framed by gorgeous greens:

Photography by Scott Simpson, West of One

The second is a reminder to me of how special the Chapel is. While my own relationship is quite intimate, having had the privilege to be responsible to build the chapel, (along with a most talented group of craftspeople). It is really about who it is for.  I recommend you go to http://www.thesearanchchapel.org/about/voices.html .

C&W Residence Completed

The C&W Residence has finally been completed despite many starts and stops, planning vagaries, and being caught in the middle of the great recession. (See home page for a rendering and floor plan of the original concept.) Custom designed to include details like glass stairs, a glass floor, a deep blue mosaic glass tile ceiling, full passive solar heating and cooling, and a 40’ deep scuba diving pool, the home eventually came to life as a home built to market. While details are moderated, from modern to Mediterranean, the principle design remains evident and strong. According to the developer the “buyer is amazed with the design and build.”

 Front Elevation

 Curved Living Room

 Curved Living Room

 LR toward Dining Room

 DR toward kitchen

 Kitchen toward Dining Room

 Up the curved stairs

Master Bath

 Rear Patio

Rear Elevation

Omander Addition

While one naturally wishes to share one’s best projects, if one steps back and asks to define ‘best’ it is not always the most exceptional, the largest, or the most expensive. Good design is good design and it is applicable everywhere, for everyone. This project replaces a single car garage while adding storage, an office/guest bedroom, and a laundry plus bathroom . All highlighted in Swedish blue. The function works, blending new with old works. The budget worked. The home lives well.

L RESIDENCE in MOUNTAIN VIEW - A RANCH TO MODERN

 Design program

Create a ‘new ‘ home, combining the original 1,020 sf, 2 bedroom, 1 bath residence built after WWII with a new wing @ 843 sf comprising the new dining room, office, and bedroom suite.

Stylistically, the new wing, to the rear, is modern in form and spaciousness while the original residence remains 1950 in form but is totally renewed inside with complementary elements outside tying the exterior to the new modern wing.

Here is the before and after floor plan:

DESIGN BY SUBCONTRACTOR . . . . .

Design by subcontractor, neighbor, uncle, well meaning passerby, et al.

Everyone has some idea of what a house should be like - after all we all live in one in some form or another. It is a common human experience. When your house, remodel, or addition is under construction you'll discover everyone has an idea of what is best or how something should be done or done better. And, at any given moment, that idea might be a good one. But be careful. Most often a change in one place affects 9 other places. You have heard about unintended consequences?  What to do? First, most often, stay the course. Second, if there is merit, consider thoroughly with your design team the new design option. Third, adjust the design thoughtfully. Fourth, sometimes that design idea enhances the project and builds on the positive momentum underway.

FINALLY BREAKING GROUND!