The Hill House by David Coleman Architecture
David Coleman Architecture have completed the Hill House, near the town of Winthrop, Washington.
Full description after the photos….
.
The Hill House by David Coleman Architecture
The Hill House is composed of a 20’ wide x 115’ long stepped platform, a shelter formed by the roof and east wall, and several gabion stone walls. It is sited on a long, narrow, rocky hillside, sloping gently to the south and steeply to the east and west. The building reads and lives like a habitable landscape, adapting to the changing seasons and needs of its occupants. In short, this is a modest, sustainable building with a big presence in a big landscape.
A light-framed, wood platform steps up the hillside and floats above it. Interior and exterior functions are delineated by a glass wall that wraps three sides of the structure. Finish materials are common throughout, blurring the line between inside and out. The result is a seasonally expansive structure, generous in summer (2200 SF), modest and efficient in winter (1100 SF).
The east wall cuts into the land like a rusty blade, evoking the cultural history of the mining encampments found in the area and providing privacy from the adjacent country road. It offers a defensive backdrop when viewed from the interior and, combined with the shelter provided by the roof, and warmth provided by the wood stove/fire pit, lends a primordial feel to the building that is unexpected in this thoroughly modern structure.
Gabion stone walls bridge between building and landscape, offering retaining, context and privacy. Construction waste was dramatically reduced by incorporating these walls, which are made from the spoils of the building’s excavations.
Sustainable materials, technologies and techniques are used throughout. Recycled steel, sustainably harvested wood, BIBS insulation in oversized wall and ceiling cavities, on-demand hot water, low-flow fixtures and convection heat are all employed. Fenestration is designed to encourage passive solar radiation in winter. In summer, roofs and walls are vented to dissipate heat, and large overhangs, combined with seasonally-deployed, exterior sun shades (made from the same fabric used to shield fruit trees on nearby orchards) protect the glass from summer sun. In addition, the building’s wedge shape and site orientation result in a solar chimney effect, encouraging natural ventilation and evaporative cooling.
Visit the website of David Coleman Architecture – here.
Photography © Lara Swimmer
.
.
aj smith on 19 May 2010 at 7:32 am #
Feels very basic.
Nathan Archibald on 19 May 2010 at 10:23 am #
I’m super jealous. love the futuristic looking fireplace.
Filip Galiza on 19 May 2010 at 10:27 am #
I like this house a lot. Its simple, it has nice open spaces and a decent flow and most importantly its proof that modern living is financially obtainable. Not sure how exepensive it is to keep it comfy in the winter months but for a budget project, this came out very well.
TW on 20 May 2010 at 12:35 am #
Now THIS is how sustainability is SUPPOSED to be done.
It may be basic aj, but modesty is far more attractive than the grossly oversized monuments many architects want to build.
What more would you need than the spatial elements this house provides?
Excellent design. Excellent sustainability principles. Excellent use of materials.
Linda Manulang on 20 May 2010 at 12:40 am #
I really like it! Its very efficient yet comfortable and I guess affordable.
neko on 20 May 2010 at 6:40 am #
it’s nice.
that first picture is crying out to be on unhappyhipsters.com though.
“his friends told him to build a hot tub if he wanted to attract the ladies…”
ano on 21 May 2010 at 10:56 am #
Looks like a nicer version of a trailer in a trailer park. Not my cup of tea.
Penny on 21 May 2010 at 2:31 pm #
“The result is a seasonally expansive structure, generous in summer (2200 SF), modest and efficient in winter (1100 SF).” ~~~ I love the idea of maximizing the summer living space and enjoying the beautiful weather WA has to offer and then staying warm & cozy with less living space in addition to savings on energy bills. Can you build my house?
swede on 23 May 2010 at 3:11 pm #
sustainable? is it passive? I think not with those windows and them pretty thin walls.
TW on 24 May 2010 at 5:38 am #
swede – perhaps you should read the blurb about the house?
Dennis Moss on 06 Aug 2010 at 12:26 am #
these houses in the woods (a common theme) are all very beautiful, but where are the curtains or shutters? those dark expanses would really bother me at night! i would imagine that it could also get pretty hot in the mornings? a shading system could also add an interesting architectural element (and eaves don’t always do the job on their own)
Dennis Moss on 06 Aug 2010 at 12:27 am #
PS: i see that there are curtains in the bedroom though