Muchin Residence

Culver City, CA

1,600 SF Remodel
1,100 SF New Construction

"A stunning transformation of an existing 1950's bungalow into a contemporary passive solar "house of light". Natural daylight suffuses every room. The L-shaped house wraps around the rear garden with south-facing two story wing taking advantage of views and passive solar opportunities. Water collection on-site feeds into a mini-wetland garden. Use of recycled materials, non-toxic paints and finishes and a solar heated pool are among other "green" features to be seen."

-- from the Homes for the Future
Tour of Sustainable Living in Southern California catalogue, Presented by Eco-Home Network

10 / 01

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Pickford Residence

LEED Platinum Home

Culver City, CA

2,500 SF
Completed 2008

The main design strategy for this second story addition/remodel is to improve the existing plan by creating a more contemporary and environmentally responsive design. The existing first floor was opened up to provide a larger living room and kitchen and to increase the amount of natural light and ventilation throughout the house. A 3-story vegetated green wall was integrated into the design to cool the air while adding a beautiful central feature. The new house incorporates a number of environmental green building techniques including:

- Passive solar heating/cooling: In order to maximize the use of the sun's free energy, large south facing windows are placed to absorb the winter sun, while the large overhang prevents solar gain in the summer. The concrete floor serves as a thermal mass for storing the heat while the vegetated cooling wall/tower acts as an air freshener.

- Energy efficiency: This project is 50.8% more efficient than the California Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24 - 2006).

- Active solar system: Use of a hybrid solar system of photovoltaics and solar water heating provides electricity and hot water for domestic use as well as for the radiant floor heating system.

- Passive cooling:Three-story high living wall to maximize the indoor air quality.

- Imported water reduction: Greywater from sinks and bathtubs is collected in a constructed wetland. Additionally percolation pits collect and reduce the amount of urban runoff that enters the storm drain system.

- Sustainable material selection: Use of alternative materials such as bamboo floors, engineered lumber, and non-toxic paints, glues and water proofing materials reduce off-gasing and encourage use of alternative products. In order to reduce the waste leaving the site, 75% of all material is recycled.

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Sunset Residence

Venice, CA

1,750 SF
Completed 2008

A new three-story house is built behind an existing single family home on a small lot in Venice. This compact L-shaped building was designed to enhance beneficial solar orientation and maximize garden space and views. This project incorporates a number of environmental green building techniques such as passive and active solar heating and cooling, imported water reduction with percolation pits and the use of sustainable building materials. Green features include:

-Sustainable Site:
Kept existing front unit
Infiltration pit for storm water run-off
Small building footprint to maintain small garden
Massing is sensitive to neighbors
Drought tolerant and native plantings

-Energy Efficiency:
4.2 kw solar system
2x6 exterior walls for R-19 insulation
On-demand (tankless) water heating
90% plus efficiency heating system zoned for max. efficiency
Natural daylight throughout

-Alternative Materials:
Reused trust-joist from movie set for floor framing
Reused, replaned and ripped redwood from another job site for deck and stair railing
Used low and no VOC paint and finishes
Used certified re-harvested wood

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Altadena House

Altadena, CA

2,300 SF
Completed 2005

The goal of this 1967 ranch house remodel, was to create a more contemporary design, provide an indoor/outdoor entertainment zone and increase the amount of natural light and ventilation throughout the house. The clients chose to remodel using green building techniques such as:

-Reused/Recycled: Due to extensive flood damage that had created a mold festering environment, the interior of the house was completely gutted. In order to reduce the waste leaving the site, all salvageable material, such as roof tiles, plumbing fixtures and bricks, was reused or donated.

-Energy Efficiency: To increase the overall energy performance of the house, all existing windows were replaced with energy efficient low-E, double pane windows with argon gas, all exterior walls and ceiling cavities were insulated with wrapped, formaldehyde-free Batt insulation and all new energy efficient electrical wiring and lighting was installed. The new design afforded better natural lighting, eliminating the need for artificial light during the day.

-Materials: Non-toxic/natural materials were used throughout. The kitchen cabinets are made from FSD certified plywood from well managed forests and with formaldehyde-free Medite11 fiberboard. The floors are finished with bamboo and locally quarried stone. No VOC paint was used.

-Landscaping: To reduce the amount of urban runoff that enters the storm drain system all storm water is conducted from the roof to an informal rain garden. A native garden is being planned.

Market Residence

Venice, CA

Completed 2008

The goal of this remodel was to create a better connection between indoors and outdoors. In addition to doing structural and energy efficiency upgrading to this historic "Venice of America" home, we also added a master bedroom suite in what was once an attic, a new game room and two exterior decks. The new house incorporates a number of environmental green building techniques including:

-Sustainable Site:
Reuse 100% of existing building
Drought tolerant and native plantings

-Energy Efficiency:
18.5% better than current Title 24
New insulation in existing cavities
New energy star fixtures
New high performance heating system
All new double pane windows

-Alternative Materials:
Reused, replaned and ripped old-growth wood from another job site for the exterior hand rails
Plastic lumber deck material
Hardiplank siding

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Bleriot Residence

Westchester, CA

1,800 SF
950 SF Remodel
850 SF New Construction
Completed 2008

The Bleriot House was remodeled to create a more open plan, add 850 square feet and create a more sustainable home. A new two-story building for the master suite and the new family room, was added to the rear of the property to take advantage of the southern exposure, the wonderful views and to have better access to the large rear garden.

Great care was taking in the design and construction of the project to protect and reuse as much of the house as possible, while still modernizing and upgrading it. The existing bedrooms were not changed, while the existing kitchen was re-oriented and remodeled to be more open, have better light quality.

Many sustainable features were incorporated. For example the new addition was designed to take advantage of passive solar techniques to maximize beneficial heating, cooling and natural ventilation. The insultative property of the existing and the new house was improved to provide for better energy performance. Sustainable and non-toxic materials were used and many of the existing materials from the site were either saved or reused in another capacity.

The following is a quote provided by the clients. "We love it! It is staying nice and cool with all this hot weather too!"

Westwood Residence

Culver City, CA

2,400 SF
Under Construction 2007

The new three-story house incorporates a number of environmental green building techniques including:

- Passive solar heating/cooling: Large south facing windows and doors with appropriate sized overhangs, thermal mass floors, and natural cooling. Natural light is provided throughout the house thereby removing the need for artificial lighting during the day.

- Energy efficiency: This project is 47.8% more efficient than the California Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24).

- Active solar system: Hybrid solar system of photovoltaics and solar water heating provide electricity and hot water for domestic use and radiant floor heating system.

- Imported water reduction: Constructed wetlands for greywater from sinks and bathtubs, and water collection pits for stormwater reduce the need for imported water.

- Sustainable material selection: Use of alternative materials such as bamboo floors, engineered lumber, and non-toxic paints, glues and water proofing materials.

3rd Street Landmark Restoration

Santa Monica, CA

2,500 SF Remodel

This 1906 classic landmark home was completely gutted, raised and restored to:

- Improve floor plan: An exterior staircase was removed and replaced with an interior staircase and the second floor attic space was converted into spacious 3 bedroom, 2 bath sleeping quarters.

- Improve energy efficiency: Walls, floors and ceilings were insulated, windows replaced and better heating equipment installed.

- Reduce water needs: The plumbing was modernized low-flow fixtures and appliances were installed.

- Replace toxic materials with non-toxic materials

- Improve structural integrity: The house was raised in order to pour a new continuous footing, shear walls were installed and the entire house was brought up to current codes.

- Restore to original period: After years of remodeling, an effort was made to use only turn of the century details and fixtures.

Marco Residence

Venice, CA

1,250 SF Remodel
1,000 SF New Reconstruction

A second floor was added over the existing historic 1908 Venice Beach home. The new addition is designed to integrate into the scale of this historic walk street neighborhood and to adhere to the architectural style of the existing house.
The first floor was opened up to make the existing rooms lighter and brighter. The kitchen was modernized with bamboo floors and colored concrete counters. The new second floor contains a master suite with an exterior deck, outdoor fireplace, double walk-in closets and master bath. The boys’ bedrooms contain a loft ladder to the attic/play space.
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The roofline configuration was created to provide opportunities to get natural light into the back Northern parts of the house, thereby reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day.

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Victoria Residence

Venice, CA

The 100 year old Victoria House and garden are a natural resource in the community. The garden provides wonderful views and habitat. This house is on the Venice Home and Garden Tour.

From the beginning, a major design decision was to preserve the existing historic house and garden. To minimize the impact of the addition, the new three-story house was built to the rear of the site. The plan is organized around a central grand 3 –story garden room which ties the new house to the old and each floor to the other floors via the grand staircase and catwalk. The resulting L-shaped house surrounds the garden and provides garden views from all rooms in the new and existing house.

The house incorporates many craftsman features such as long overhangs, pitched roof, balconies and exposed rafters.

Beachwood Canyon Residence

Hollywood, CA

2,500 SF Reconstruction /
1,200 SF Remodel

This hillside remodel incorporates a number of environmental green building techniques including:

-Passive solar heating/cooling: Large south facing windows with appropriate sized overhangs, thermal mass floors, and natural cooling through the indoor/outdoor tree-shaded courtyard.

- Imported water reduction: Constructed wetlands for greywater from sinks and bathtubs, cisterns for storm water collection, fish pond for storm water overflow and large bamboo rain gutters for making water collection fun and visible.

- Sustainable material selection: Reuse of existing residence to minimize need for new material, use of alternative materials such as bamboo floors, engineered lumber, and non-toxic paints, glues and water proofing materials.

- Efficient siting: Orientation to sun and views while being respectful of neighbor's views. Compact plan to maximize open space. Maintenance of existing vegetation, including the tree located in the central cooling courtyard. Add decks to maximize the indoor/outdoor usability.

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Santa Monica College Center for Environmental and Urban Studies

Santa Monica, CA (Under Construction)

Demonstration House Remodel
1999

The Santa Monica College Center for Environmental Urban Studies will serve as a continually evolving center of knowledge dedicated to the improved understanding of ecologically sensitive principles and practices, with special focus on optimizing relationships between the built and natural environment.

The center will serve the College, the Santa Monica community, and the greater Los Angeles community, as well as more distant audiences, through the Internet and other information dissemination media.

It will function on the principle that a house is an integral part of our ecosystem, and that it must be designed and operated with a goal of ecological sustainability. The facility itself will therefore be a demonstration and education resource for anyone interested in environmental issues, building design, natural and man-made systems. This includes watershed management, renewable energy and materials, animal habitat creation, waste management, regenerative planting and healing environments.

Architectural/landscape architectural features will include:

- Rainwater Harvesting: Oversized rain gutters around the roof will carry water to an aqueduct, which transports the rainwater to a series of storage vessels in the garden, terminating in a constructed wetland. The stored water can be used to irrigate the fruit trees and vegetable garden. Rainwater collection reduces the amount of storm water that enters the storm drain system, thereby reducing the amount of pollution that enters the Santa Monica Bay. The overflow entering the constructed wetlands will increase the amount of water that is allowed to percolate back into the underground aquifers. A water sculpture will provide a tutorial illustration of water flow. This moving water system will help oxygenate the water as well as heighten sensory awareness.

- Greywater harvesting and purification: New plumbing with exposed and highly visible piping will be incorporated into the design of the building skin to increase awareness of water usage. Kitchen and bathroom plumbing lines will be partially exposed in exterior walls by sheathing with transparent materials. For example, one can watch sink-water travel from the sink through the pipes to the adjoining greywater purification tank system. A series of three purification planters containing fish, aeration and water plants, will help to digest particles from greywater. After the greywater has been purified by the plantings, it will travel via a channel in the paving to the garden to irrigate the herbs and vegetables.

- Passive Solar: New, highly efficient operable windows and skylights will be added to the south and west facades and roof to encourage passive solar heating in the winter. The arbor and accompanying deciduous vines protect the same openings from the hot summer sun. A Sundial/ventilation tower with a conical roof form at the apex of the roof, will act as a hot air vent to promote natural airflow by removing excess heat. It will also perform as a solar tracking device which maps the paths of the sun at the equinox and solstices. A thin sliver of window denotes South.

- Interior architecture: Existing, aged carpeting will be replaced with non-toxic, plant based earthen flooring in the kitchen, bathroom, and conference room. This thick floor material will act as a thermal mass, collecting and storing heat during the day and releasing it at night. The ceiling is opened up by removing the existing 8" joists to improve spatial and air quality of the house and allow access to the new skylights. Natural plant-based plasters will be used instead of drywall at all new wall locations. Some wall areas will be sheathed in transparent glass to exhibit the infrastructure within the walls. Existing natural wood floor and trim will be stripped and repaired.

- Recycling: In-house separation of recyclables will be required. Recyclable material bins will be stored along west façade, next to kitchen door for easy access.

- Landscaping: Grapevines acting as deciduous window coverings, located in planting beds along the south and west façades will grow into sunshades on the trellis feature at roof edge. In the winter, the lack of plant foliage and the low angle of the sun, will allow the house to be heated naturally during the day. In the summer, when the sun is higher, the vines will provide inside shade and prevent overheating. Further back in the yard, a riparian habitat/constructed wetland will be created by capturing the seasonal rains. All exterior concrete surfaces will be removed and replaced with permeable paving. The salvaged concrete will be used in the garden as garden walls and as building materials for the ponding vessels.

- Active solar/energy: Solar shingles will be integrated into the existing roof system and visible from the inside of the house. An energy monitoring system will demonstrate the amount of solar gain at different times of the day and year. Exposed electric outlets and wiring within the interior walls will improve the public's understanding of how energy systems work. Students will participate in the design of customized switches and outlets. Low energy appliances will be specified wherever possible. The hot water heater will be replaced with solar water heating devices on the roof. Metering devices will be exposed to promote awareness of energy usage.

- Black water purification: Toilet waste will travel to enclosed purification planter on west façade where it will be separated into solid, liquid, and gas and purified by plants. The filtered liquid will then join with greywater in an adjacent planter to be further purified.

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Goudailler Residence

Santa Fe, NM

3,000 SF New Reconstruction
1998

The principle driving the design of the Goudailler residence in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is to minimize the impact of the new construction on this lovely site. To accomplish this, we have looked at historical models for clues to sustainability and integration in the high desert region.

After reviewing design strategies of the local indigenous people and the first Spanish New Mexican settlers, the following principles have emerged:

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-Earth: Build using the material from the site.

The rich earth under our feet holds all the material properties we need to build a home in the dessert. It is not necessary to haul truck loads of material from another site. Instead the house will literally grow out of the ground upon which it stands. The thick earthen walls, which can be easily sculpted, act as an excellent insulator as well as a thermal mass to store the sun's warmth.

-Water: The collection of water on site, the pure summer rain and winter snow, can supply the household with a large percentage of their daily needs. This water collection system can be designed to become an aesthetic connection between the people and their land. Conservation and collection of fresh rainwater has historically been a main goal of local peoples. The Anasazi, at the Far View Settlement, for example, built an elaborate rainwater collection system complete with reservoir and irrigation ditches, which collected summer rain and winter snowmelt.

We collect and store water on site to mitigate the impact of the new impermeable surfaces. This water collection/retention system is integrated into the design with features such as exaggerated rain gutters, a water feature in the courtyard and possibly a cistern. It will provide the Goudaillers with a supply of fresh water.

Clubhouse Residence

Venice, CA

2nd Story Addition + Loft
1,000 SF Remodel,
1,200 New Reconstruction

1996

This Venice Beach home is the result of a second and third story house addition to an existing 1908 beach bungalow. The clients’ goal was to preserve their childhood home while enlarging it to accommodate their expanding family. The existing house needed repairs due to its age, to older construction technology and the sea air. The new addition was designed to be integrated with the scale of the neighboring bungalows, as well as adhere to the architectural style of the existing house.

A master bedroom suite, complete with bedroom, bathroom, closet and study, library and loft were all added to the existing two bedroom house.

The Clubhouse Addition successfully blended into the neighborhood of beach houses and California bungalows.

SIDAREC Mukuru Kwa Njenga, Sustainable Resource Center

Nairobi, Kenya

Competition Project
AMD Open Architecture Challenge, 2008
Second Place

The SIDAREC Mukuru Kwa Njenga Resource Center is the heart of the neighborhood, designed to bring dignity and a sense of pride to the community and a place where people will gather to play, study and learn.

The building and the site are integrated to maximize the functionality. Sustainability is the guiding principal. The building is designed to have a flexible floor plan so that future programmatic changes can be easily implemented. The building and site produce its own energy with photovoltaic panels and wind turbines. They are designed to be naturally ventilated and day-lighted. Rain water is collected on site, compost is used to fertilize the orchard, and plants are grown that provide food, shade and medicine.

Site

The main access to the site is from road. There is also an opportunity for access to the adjacent southern part of the slum, if additional access is desired. The building is located to the rear of the site. It embraces the amphitheater, ball fields/courts and gardens. Access to the amphitheater and playing fields is possible when the building is not open. As one approaches the building from the road, there is an orchard on one side of the path and a soccer field on the other. The produce from the orchard will be used to generate income for the Center and can be used by the adjacent bakery. There are composting toilets in the orchard to provide fertilizer for the fruit trees.

The amphitheater is centrally located. It is where performances and puppets shows are held. It is also a place to meet and gather. The Center is the back drop of the theater and could be decorated for performances. Around the amphitheater is a native tree forest to provide shade and habitat for fauna, as well as a learning opportunity for kids that may not be familiar with the importance of native species.

Three wind turbines are scattered throughout the site to create a visual sense of place. The location of the facility will be easily spotted by the 13 meter high turbines, which will generate power to illuminate the soccer field, basketball/tennis courts and bathrooms at night when necessary.

There is a medicinal garden adjacent to the clinic to give doctors and patients an opportunity to use natural healing herbs.

Building

The building is organized around an exterior covered walkway which surrounds the amphitheater and garden and connects all the functions of the Center. The central reception area is located in the heart of the complex. It is clearly designed as the center of the facility by its form and height. The higher roof serves as a cooling tower.

The whole building is oriented to the south/southeast prevailing breezes to passively ventilate the rooms. The roofs are sloped in such a way that the wind can move across the building from the south to the north and from low to high pushing excess heat outside. The roof is covered with a solar array of photovoltaic that will generate the power requirements for the entire building. The roofs also collect rain water into two large cisterns at each end of the building to be used in the medicinal garden and the orchard. The rain water location is also convenient for use by the clinic, the bakery and the public.

The bakery located at the front of the building serves as welcoming anchor. The bakery has access to the water in the cistern and has an adjoining outdoor area where people may eat. Adjacent to this outdoor indoor room is the internet café with 15 work stations and a copying/printing area. In the covered access way that is in between the bakery and the internet café are located a few tables and the cell phone charging stations, pay phones and other on-demand coin operated power functions that may be required.

Immediately next to the reception area are the rooms that require the most supervision, such as the offices, server room/storage and the daycare. The reception room and the indoor/outdoor daycare are designed so that if a larger gathering space is needed, the rooms may be opened up to create a great space for special events.

The computer training room is located near to the day care so that students may drop off their children on their way to class.

Materials

The building is to be built using as many local materials as possible and built by people in the community. The walls of the structure are made of locally made bricks from soil, water and cement. The windows, made of local soda ash, are covered with hand made louvered-shutters which will allow the windows to be opened during the day to provide fresh air while maintaining a secure environment.

The roof system is made of metal trusses which are welded on site, covered with corrugated metal sheets, on top of which is the securely attached solar array.

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Saelee Boutique

Sherman Oaks Fashion Square
Sherman Oaks, CA

Fox Hills Mall
Culver City, CA

New Clothing Store

1996

The challenge was to convert and combine two unattractive, outdated retail spaces into one high fashion clothing store. The contemporary architecture of the store was designed to enhance the presentation of the new Saelee clothing line.

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LA ACTOR SHAKESPEARE ACADEMY

Topanga, CA

The LA Actors' Shakespeare Academy is a two-story classroom and theater located adjacent to Topanga Creek in upper Topanga Canyon. It is designed to be integrated into the lovely hillside setting and to resemble Shakespeare's birth house. It is currently under construction.

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