What kind of vision did you have for this house? Inspired by Paul Rudolph's Umbrella House of 1953, the Solar Umbrella provides a contemporary reinvention of the solar canopy - a strategy that provides thermal protection in climates with intense exposures. In establishing the program for their residence, we carefully considered the entire site, taking advantage of as many opportunities for sustainable living as possible. Passive and active solar design strategies render the residence 100% energy neutral. Recycled, renewable, and high performance materials and products are specified throughout. Hardscape and landscape treatments are considered for their aesthetic and actual impact on the land. The home crafts each of these strategies and materials, exploiting the potential for performance and sensibility while achieving a rich and interesting sensory and aesthetic experience. Rather than deflecting sunlight, the solar skin absorbs and transforms this rich resource into usable energy, providing the residence with 95% of its electricity. Like many design features at the Solar Umbrella, the solar canopy is multivalent and rich with meaning - performing several roles for functional, formal and experiential effect.
展开▼
