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Aware that the knowledge of how the sun travelled across the sky during its daily and yearly passage was used in native buildings, we created this house to function as a solar observatory in addition to its passive solar design. Specific windows in the house only allow the sun's penetration on certain days of the year, the setting sun at equinox and solstices. |
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These light beams then magically
fall in line with the three story
lodgepole pine support timbers at the houses center. |
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| energy saving techniques |
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Like the roundhouse form that had been seen indigenously in this region of California, "Napo-cha"- Community House, is a stunning eliptical and round form that blends the architecture of the Napa Valley with its surrounding hillsides.
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Since the building requires a block-type system that can produce radius/curved walls often ending at the roof in sloped lines, the house is built of Rastra, a state of the art self-insulating block that incorporates grout and steel reinforcing to become seismically sound. It is easily cut and shaped while put in place. The passive solar design of the house requires a massiveness to which the suns penetrating rays will heat up and stay warm for an extended period of time. |
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Only concrete/masonry walls and floors will do this with effectiveness. Rastra provides an incomparable R-36 insulation so that once the house is warmed, it will keep the heat within. Typical masonry is virtually R-00, so that it then requires the very difficult application of styrafoam insulation . Rastra is also more easily receptive to stucco/plaster applications to finish the wall and is made out of recycled materials in the spirit of the house. return to top |
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steel lighting fixture |
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A provocative curving steel sculpture, initially announced as a moment frame to strengthen the window-weak glass face , redefines the southern front. It does double duty acting as a sundial. Facing perfectly south, with steel prongs lining up with the center rafter extension, this projects light and shadow patterns down the middle of the color- stained, concrete living room floor. |
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Highlighting specifically aligned tile inlays marking the passing of the year as well as the noon of each day and month. |
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