Retiring in ECO-style - Giulietti/Schouten Architects far exceeded their client's requests for the perfect retirement home, listing off sustainable and "eco" practices as standard.
Overview
"Warm, modern and open to all seasons" was the request of the client/writer for her new single-family home in rural Yamhill County, Oregon.
The client, recently retired, chose a 2.5 acre sloping site bordered by Douglas fir trees with an existing 2400 square foot home. The site laps up views to views to Mt. Hood and Mt. Jefferson.
She wished to retain and improve the existing access road as well as retain the general footprint of the existing house while protecting three very large walnut trees. The original house was deconstructed and completely donated to Habitat for Humanity, the start of the project’s eco credentials.
For the new design, the owner requested the new home to be maintenance-free with clear separations between entertaining, office/study and sleeping with an extra guest suite for extended stays by her mother. Admittedly it’s not a 1 bedroom bungalow on the beach, but this house is paced with cost, maintenance and energy saving tech’.
Materials for the house are low maintenance galvanized metal siding, aluminium windows, exposed concrete wall and veneer wood panels for siding. Simple passive and sustainable features include rainwater harvesting, roof-mounted solar hot water heating, in-floor radiant heating, cork floors, natural day-lighting and Icynene sprayed-on insulation.
Layout
The new 3000 square foot home, with a 527 square foot attached garage, is inspired by the Bay Area hillside ranch homes the client grew to appreciate from her years in California. The two-bedroom, three-bath home is divided N/S and E/W at the entry: the north half providing privacy for the Master Bedroom suite, home office and hidden private garage and drive; the southern half combining the living, dining and kitchen area separated by a guest suite to the west.
Plans
Architects: Giulietti/Schouten Architects
Project’s Formal Name: Nut Tree Lane House
Location: McMinnville, Oregon
Total Square Footage:3,000 SF Living, 527 SF Garage
Cost: $361.50 per square foot Construction cost per square foot (excluding land)
Completed: Spring 2006
Google: Satellite
via: Giulietti/Schouten Architects The Contemporist & Portland Architecture