Completion Date: 4/1/2018
Square Footage: 3923
Building Use: Single Family Home
Location: Laguna Beach, CA
Project Description:
A lushly wooded canyon lot in Laguna Beach provides a dramatic background for this proposed hillside project. Sited to correspond with the historic location of three small cottages that once nestled against the steep hillside this series of indoor and outdoor spaces provide as variety of living opportunities while responding to coastal views and respecting the view shed of the homes behind.
The house is fashioned into a sequence of programmatic areas that lead from more public spaces, like the office and great room near the home’s entry, past a protected inner courtyard, to the more intimate spaces of the master bedroom and spa beyond. Defined by the desire to simultaneously engage both the hillside and the canyon view, the upper level is resolved as a collection of inverted roof forms carried by a series of exposed steel beams.
Horizontal light shelves trace the perimeter of the open volumes and help to regulate the experience of the space and infuse a degree of intimacy. The valley of the roof reinforces the entry and circulation core, subtly compressing the space along its axis. Moving through the home becomes a series of experiences punctuated by the compression and release of volumes.
As an environmentally conscientious client, the home’s owner expressed concerned about what impact his home might have on both the site and the broader environment. Together we strove to achieve a “zero net energy” design that employs sound architectural responses to the specific environment and orientation of the lot. Our solution includes deep roof overhangs with supplemental shading light shelves to protect from the high summer sun and reflect daylight deep into the home. Strategically placed operable windows and skylights allow for ultimate control of the canyon breezes for passive cooling.
In the winter, the sun penetrates deep into the structure to charge the thermal mass of the exposed concrete floors and retaining walls while an in-floor hydronic heating system provides supplemental warmth. A variety of integrated building systems such as photo voltaic roof panels, solar evacuated water heating, and roof and gray water catchments support the eco-package.
The lower level is anchored by a shared family room that extends to a spacious outdoor living area protected by the courtyard and cantilevered pool above. Two secondary bedroom suites complete the program on the lower floor bringing the total square footage of the house to 4,100 square feet. The anticipated budget for the project reflects current custom home building costs for a hillside lot and is projected to be just under $1.6 million.
Despite the many challenges of the site and the program, the design manifests the natural elegance of simple elements composed in harmony and in graceful accord with the site.
C.O.T.E. | Committee on the Environment
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Anders Lasater Architects |
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Anders Lasater Architects |
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Dillon Residence
Category
Residential Custom
Description
The jury admired how the arrangement of the building masses connected the form of the house to the form of the land. They noted that the various roof planes work well in plan and elevation and help organize the house and articulate the space.
Congratulations Anders Lasater Architects.
Winner Status
- Citation Award