Context:

This new home sits within a prominent ridge in the hills of Redlands California.  The site offers stunning views of the San Bernardino mountains and surrounding vistas. 
The home takes its inspiration from the California Modern style with an emphasis on orientation and sustainability.  The advantageous hilltop site allows the home to be oriented on the desirable east-west axis.  The plan retains a thin profile to allow maximum views, cross ventilation and ample natural light. 

Program:

The client requested a Net-Zero energy efficient and maintenance free home.  In response, our exterior material palette included; integral colored stucco, metal roof /canopies and cedar siding for beauty and durability.  The 5,200 square feet three story home is comprised of:  Living Room, Dining Room, Media Room, 2 Guest Bedrooms at the main level, and Master Bedroom Suite on the upper level.  The lower level includes an Exercise area and Storage space.  A large exterior deck spans the Living and Kitchen, with an additional upper deck outside the Master Bedroom.  An attached two-car Garage and detached 3 car Garage/Shop building complete the layout. 

Energy Performance:

The orientation along an east west axis optimized solar energy while our design prohibits solar gain.  The primary roof slope is angled to the south to accommodate a large array of photovoltaic panels.  This standing seam metal “Green Roof” covers 75% of the home and provides an R-40 insulation value.  The roof overhangs and eyebrows shield the south facing windows in the summer months while allowing sunlight to penetrate in the winter.  The 3 story open stair acts as a light well and thermal siphon by moving cool air from the lower level to the bedrooms above.  The thick exterior walls provide for maximum insulation and all the windows throughout the home are dual–glazed, low-E.  The high SEER mechanical system is zoned to provide maximum flexibility and cost savings for every season and a solar hot water system and whole house ventilator reside on the upper roof.  Energy star appliances are used throughout the home and all lighting is LED or Fluorescent.

Special Challenges:

Our new design rests on the thin profile of an older structurally unsound residence.  The older home was carefully removed and 95% of its materials were recycled.  In an effort to retain the site characteristics, the new building occupies the exact location of the prior home with only 225 square feet of additional built area.  The existing driveway and all trees on the site were retained. A retaining wall was built beneath the home to stabilize the steep slope.  Concrete caissons were employed along the downhill side to help provide the necessary support. 

Site and Landscape:

Planters were built along the sloping eastern side of the house for trees and shrubs to help mitigate heat gain in the summer months.  Irrigation was installed for future xeriscaping throughout the site and native grasses will be planted on the northern slope below the house to mitigate future erosion.