In addition to beautiful views to the south, the home is oriented to frequently spectacular sunsets.
The north face of the home features mostly opaque privacy walls, contrasting with the mostly transparent south facing side with panoramic views.
This rammed earth wall was built as a color sample approval wall that could be left in place to serve as an entrance marker with the street address.
The northern exposure of the site is dominated by rammed earth walls that are two feet thick, with 8 inches of rigid insulation in the center.
The northern exposure of the site is dominated by rammed earth walls that are two feet thick, with 8 inches of rigid insulation in the center.
The landscape features low maintenance native plants to create a feeling of dwelling in nature.
The entry is protected by a deep but inviting recessed space.
Garage doors are clad in the same material as the wood accent walls - no-maintenance phenolic resin panels.
The southern exposure overlooks the lake and features curtain walls of glass for maximum views and natural light.
Indoor living areas flow seamlessly to outdoor living areas, all of which capitalize on the beauty of the site.
Passing through the door opening onto the lakeside patio, you are well protected from snow or rain - perfect for four season barbequing.
The visual warmth and texture of the north rammed earth walls enrich the interior of the home as well as the exterior.
Rather than installing gutters, we integrated drip beds into the organic landscape.
Between rammed earth walls there are 'rainscreen' accent walls featuring maintenance free phenolic resin wood panels.
The entry features a custom door built in Germany by the people that provided the windows and glass walls throughout the home.
The Entry door is glazed with high performance privacy glass and the same advanced frame technology as the windows.
The owners requested a panoramic view of the lake and mountains, interrupted only by the hearth.
The fireplace runs long and low below a high definition entertainment center that is concealed behind touch-latch panels.
The fireplace supports the entire roof structure, so the glass walls can have thin frames that open up the views.
The living room, dining area, and kitchen all share one spacious volume.
Although downtown Coeur d'Alene is just moments away, the living areas look out over forested public lands that will never be built on.
In the deepest cold of winter, these high performance curtain walls of glass are totally comfortable to sit next to. You can see the snow also feeling comfy right next to the glass.
Steel columns at the south patio feature a playful 'twist' and patina to harmonize with the adjacent metal fireplace panels.
Dining area shaped by interior face of rammed earth wall.
The circular table easily transforms between an intimate dining scale or a larger diameter for additional seating.
The fireplace is wrapped in steel panels with an acid wash finish, echoing the exterior wall cladding pattern.
Detail of the steel panel joinery. Uncompromised craftsmanship is evident throughout the home.
The bedroom wing of the home is removed from the common areas by the only hallway in the home.
The north walls of the primary bedroom suit feature rammed earth.
The patio water feature softly mutes the distant sounds of the city and freeway that drift over the lake.
The patio waterfall has an integrated gas open flame fire feature.
Rammed earth does not resemble 'earth' as in 'dirt' - it is essentially identical to solid sandstone.
The heart of any passivhaus project is the mechanical room. There isn't much equipment here, but what is here, is state-of-the-art technology.
DESIGN PHASE MATERIAL STUDIES
DESIGN PHASE MATERIAL STUDIES
DESIGN PHASE MATERIAL STUDIES
DESIGN PHASE MATERIAL STUDIES
DESIGN PHASE MATERIAL STUDIES
CONSTRUCTION PHASE
CONSTRUCTION PHASE
