Vail Grant Residence
Silverlake, Calif.
Pugh + Scarpa

Hillside house powers itself naturally

Courtesy Pugh + Scarpa

For more images click on 'photos & drawings' above.

Although the Vail Grant Residence is situated on a hillside with a 66 percent grade, the architect derived its shape from setback ordinances imposed by local zoning. The house's main volume is a square that has been extruded into an elongated, twisted box that projects into the hillside. Its roof is folded, creating a series of voids and volumes that enable occupants to inhabit the house and simultaneously view it from within—the observer becomes the object of his own observation.

The architect's main challenge was how to construct an exciting, yet economical design on an difficult site. The solution involved using Structural Concrete Insulated Panels (SCIPs), which are less expensive and easier to install than typical cast-in-place, formed concrete walls. The structure was developed as an exoskeleton against the earth with the inside forms and spaces defined by light gauge cold-rolled steel that can be folded and penetrated as necessary. The architect intentionally limited the building width to 15 feet to reduce spans and further simplify construction.

The house contains several elements that maximize energy performance. SCIPs, for instance, create an average insulation value of R-40 throughout the house. Solar panels located at the rear of the property, moreover, can produce enough energy to power the entire house. Air conditioning is supplied naturally by small diameter pipes that are inserted into the hillside and draw 60 degrees Fahrenheit air into the house. Large windows allow the sun to heat interior concrete slabs, creating natural convection currents that distribute heat as they rise to vents in the upper levels.

Formal name of building:
Vail Grant Residence

Location:
Silverlake, Calif.

Gross square footage:
1,800 sq. ft.

Owner:
George Vail and Lisa Grant

Architect:
Pugh + Scarpa
Bergamot Station,
2525 Michigan Ave, F1
Santa Monica, Ca 90404
Tel. 310-828-0226
Fax. 310-453-9696
www.pugh-scarpa.com
e-mail: info@pugh-scarpa.com

Front row: Jennifer Doublet, Stephanie Erickson, Cecilia Recendez, Angela Brooks,
Linda Jassim; Middle row: Katrin Terstegen, Lori Bruns Selna, Vanessa Hardy,
Stephanie Ragle, Lawrence Scarpa, Ching Luk; Upper row: Silke Clemens, Christopher
Ghatak, Justin Patwin, Joshua Ashcroft, Royce Sciortino, Gwynne Pugh,
Heather Duncan (missing), Dr. John Ingersoll (missing), Steve Kodama (missing).

Principal- in-Charge: Lawrence Scarpa, AIA

Project Design Team: Joshua Ashcroft, Angela Brooks, AIA, Silke Clemens, Vanessa Hardy, Ching Luk, Fredrik Nilsson, Gwynne Pugh, AIA, Lawrence Scarpa, Katrin Terstegen.

Engineer:
Luis Vasquez

Consultant(s):
Landscape: LAND
Energy Efficiency & Alternative Energy: Dr. John Ingersoll, PHD, Pugh + Scarpa

General contractor:
Above Board Construction, Forrest Poorman

Photographer(s)- Model Photography:
Marvin Rand & Associates
1310 Abott Kinney Blvd
Venice, CA 90291
Wk: (310) 396-3441
Fx: (310) 399-0298
e-mail: mrand@earthlink.net

Renderer(s):
Josh Ashcroft, Fredrik Nilsson and Lawrence Scarpa

CAD system, project management, or other software used:
PowerCadd www.engsw.com, Form Z www.formz.com, 3-D Studio Max