City / South Pasadena, CA Program / 3,709 sq. ft. guest house Completed / 2009
This off-the-grid guest house provides informal space for a family inspired by sustainability and interested in the potential for homemade and changing art projects. For them, getting off-the-grid is more than just an environmental choice. It is an expression of values, requiring spaces that celebrate them. Simple materials are used to create a series of light filled spaces: metal siding, wood framing, drywall, glass doors and triplewall polycarbonate. The design also incorporates a mezzanine wall clad with old tennis balls that adds acoustic absorption, and a blackboard wainscot around the core. A solar thermal system, providing domestic hot water and radiant heat, and photovoltaics combine with daylighting and earthtube cooling that capitalizes on an abandoned subterranean bomb shelter, to deliver self-sufficient, sustainable living.