Tree House
A 1,600 square foot house is divided along its east-west axis into public and private spaces. Opening to a wraparound screened porch is a large public space that includes a kitchen and areas for living and dining. Large, operable clerestory windows and sliding glass doors ventilate interiors during months when air conditioning isn’t needed as well as provide abundant natural light eliminating the need for artificial lighting during the day. Behind a thick wall of cabinets and closets with open space above for additional ventilation are the bedrooms and bathrooms. Along this wall and supporting a simple standing seam shed roof that reflects sun are seven tree-like columns topped with inverted trusses and exposed gusset plates. Rain from heavy Houston downpours is collected in deep aluminum channels at the roof’s edge and emptied into rock beds below. |
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