Grassy Brook Village

Grassy Brook Village was a heroic attempt on the part of the developer to create ten condominiums, clustered on a hillside in Vermont. Meant to embody all the energy saving methods available, the first scheme organized the houses around a circular court, tied together with a walkway. The manner in which the houses splayed created outside private decks. Remote arrays of collectors were to deliver solar heat. Then an alternate dome-enclosed scheme was developed which would provide a common passive and active system in the form of a greenhouse. The houses could be prefabricated with trailerized components which could be arranged differently to accommodate a variety of site conditions.

Long House, Solar Scoop, Red House, Roof-entry House

Beginning in 1970 this house was built in Windham Vermont as a gut response to open the interior to the winter sun. It was an unadorned vernacular solar wall with references to early and mid-century modernism. Several additions were added over the years, with major changes in refinements beginning in 1998, commencing its conversion to an inn.

Ski Cabin, Nantucket House, Landgrove House

Designed in 1968, this modest cabin was built on the north slope of a ski area. In winter the only direct sunlight penetrating the house comes through a large 2 over 2 window at the top of the two story living room/dining room/kitchen space, and even without the leaves the deciduous trees partially shades the windows. This was a strong early solar lesson for the architect about the psychological value of direct sunlight in Vermont, and also that north slopes should be reserved for apple orchards, not ski cabins. Two important features of the house in terms of sustainability were the recycled materials used throughout (windows, doors, plumbing and light fixtures, some beams, and a turned column), as well as the using only wood from a local mill with no sheet goods.

Santa Fe Additions Continued

Here are some of the schematic versions of the Arc, the art studio/guest house/and growing greenhouse. As the interior plans evolved, exterior forms changed. All explore the use of direct gain and air collectors for heat storage.

Clients wishing to retreat for vacations to the top of a mountain in Jamaica, Vermont, sought to create an off-the-grid, off-the-well, and off-the-furnace shelter. This first scheme is intended to evoke the idea of impermanence, while in reality being a long term sustainable camp. Because the ground is all ledge, 9 steel bolts would be grouted into the rock to support the 3 tetrahedrons and floors spanning in between. A screened porch hangs off one corner for bug season, and a large deck extends the living space in summer and fall. Because the angled walls were thought too constraining, another solution was sought.