a new horizon

125 Boron Lane- Residence in Washoe County- High Desert Oasis

AFTER YEARS OF ANTICIPATION A CLIENT CAME TO ME WITH THE INTENT OF BUILDING A FAMILY RETREAT IN NEVADA'S HIGH DESERT.   THE PROPOSED PROJECT SERVES AS A GATHERING PLACE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.  AS THE FAMILY HAS GROWN, THE IMPORTANCE OF A CENTRAL MEETING PLACE HAS BECOME MORE AND MORE APPARENT.  THIS REMARKABLE PROPERTY OFFERS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO IMMERSE OURSELVES IN THE SITE'S NATURAL BEAUTY.  

TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE. THE PROPOSED PRESERVES THE NATURAL LANDSCAPE AND UTILIZES THE PREVIOUSLY EXISTING GRADED AREAS TO HAVE AS LOW OF AN IMPACT AS POSSIBLE ON THE EXISTING SITE.  OUR APPROACH TO THE SITE DESIGN IS A LIGHT TOUCH, AIMED AT MINIMIZING DISTURBANCE WHILE PROVIDE ENOUGH SPACE FOR A LARGE FAMILY.  THE FOLLOWING ARE SITE DESIGN MEASURES TAKEN TO ADDRESS COMPATIBILITY WITH THE RURAL CONTEXT:   

° THE RESIDENCE UTILIZES EARTHEN MATERIALS AND TEXTURES RESPONDING TO  BOTH THE RURAL AGRARIAN AND DESERT CONTEXTS.

° THE RESIDENCE IS ORGANIZED INTO CLUSTERED  MASSES OF VARYING SCALES TO MINIMIZE BULK.

° THE RESIDENCE UTILIZES COURTYARDS AND OUTDOOR TERRACES TO BREAK UP THE STRUCTURES AND LET THE LANDSCAPE WEAVE IN.

° THE RESIDENCE SITS BACK ON THE EXISTING  BUILDING  PAD TO MINIMIZE VISIBILITY AND VIEWS-IN.

° THE RESIDENCE TERRACES ON THE SLOPE TO MINIMIZE VISUAL IMPACT  AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF BELOW GRADE INSULATING PROPERTIES.

° THE RESIDENCE FEATURES  FACADES THAT RESPOND TO THEIR UNIQUE SOLAR AND CLIMATIC EXPOSURES (WINDS & SUN EXPOSURE). 

° THE RESIDENCE UTILIZES WILD FIRE RESISTANT BUILDING MATERIALS AND LANDSCAPING CONCEPTS.

°  THE RESIDENCE EMPLOYS AND NUMBER OF PASSIVE AND ACTIVE GREEN BUILDING STRATEGIES SUCH AS SOLAR SHADING, THERMAL  MASS WALLS, SOLAR ENERGY,  RAIN WATER MANAGEMENT, AND NATIVE LANDSCAPING REQUIRING LITTLE TO NO SUPPLEMENTAL IRRIGATION.