Faculty House – A Green Residential Reconstruction

Nov. 15, 2012 - PRLog -- Constructed over the original slab, built by the client with his father/contractor decades earlier, the new structure is leased to visiting faculty within walking distance of Stanford University.  A variance granted a 2 ft. northern extension of the Living spaces into the narrow lot width while maintaining the existing front, on-site parking.

Residents & visitors entering from street-side are greeted by the alignment with the natural alleyway formed between the residential entrances to the north. The narrow, 25 ft. wide context evoked the creative inclusion of a semi-enclosed courtyard opposite the entrance.  Perpendicular to this micro-urban axis, the interior is composed along the east-west solar orientation of the clerestory Hall, linking the Master and Guest Bedrooms. The core living spaces play between degrees of transparency, asymmetric volume, natural light, and abundant ventilation, while shaded by existing, mature trees.

Eric N. Rohlfing, Architect, www.ENRarchitects.com, designed and supervised construction of this 975sf, single story residence as project architect and contractor with Topos Architects, Inc.  

The home’s environmental response includes a host of salvaged, recycled-content, renewable, and non-toxic materials, coupled with energy/water-efficient equipment, fixtures, and appliances.  Green/sustainable features are abundant within the design, such as; utilization of the existing site & structure; dense residential neighborhood; close proximity to public transit; reuse existing slab & framing; salvaged framing members; fly ash concrete; engineered wood; recycled content insulation & gypsum board; tankless water heating; hydronic floor heating; low-flow plumbing fixtures; energy efficient lighting fixtures & appliances; abundant natural lighting & ventilation; bamboo flooring & cabinets; recycled content countertops, window sills, tile & carpet; programmable controls; and porus paving surfaces.

Services included complete architectural, structural, energy compliance, mechanical, electrical and landscape designs, cost analysis, subcontractor management, material & equipment selection & acquisition, and construction monitoring.

Although the Client rebuilt the home for lease purposes, he has stated that he is eyeing the home to retire into with his wife.

Eric N. Rohlfing, architect, LEED-AP, Thousand Oaks, Ventura County, CA, 91360, 805-807-4154, info@ENRdesign.com

For more details and images, see:  http://www.enrarchitects.com/ENRarchitects_Palo_Alto_facultyhouse.html