House 1 Pomfret, Vermont
The land for House 1 sits at the head of a beautiful small valley, with views to the north-west and to the south. The topography of the site is quite unusual with the main feature being a ridge sloping gently to the south and bounded by a steep escarpment to the east that is bordered on one side by a perfect ring of white pines and on the other by a narrow stream.
The uses of the valley have changed over the years, and this was to be a single house, a dwelling type that no longer followed the established pattern of farming and similar activities here. However the emphasis in the design was to integrate the exterior and the interior, to bring the living quarters into contact with the various aspects of the land, and to create a simple formal expression that would not be out of character with the established pattern of habitation that had existed here for decades.
Barn Addition
THE ADDITION to the existing barn consisted of a separate shed and a small tower built on the foundation of an old silo on site.The additions reinforced the forms of the prototypical buildings that line the road leading down the valley.
MAIN ENTRY INTO TOWER ELEMENT
View from tower through the main addition to the columns in field
View from tower through the main addition to the columns in field
THE BARN ADDITION houses the main living room, dining, kitchen, and study library. The bedrooms and bathrooms are lodged within in the existing barn.
As well as the adaptive reuse of the barn the addition makes as much use as possible of recycled materials. This includes the roof trusses, wall framing, and flooring materials
BELOW—VIEW FROM MEZZANINE
In this view from the mezzanine can be seen the the valley to the south, west, and north.
As well as the adaptive reuse of the barn the addition makes as much use as possible of recycled materials. This includes the roof trusses, wall framing, and flooring materials
BELOW—VIEW FROM MEZZANINE
In this view from the mezzanine can be seen the the valley to the south, west, and north.
The solar house combined both active and passive solar heating strategies.
Photovoltaic panels were installed on the roof and the central section of the house had glazed sections of the roof with a central wall mass that acted as heat storage and dissipater. The released heat from this wall was re-circulated through a roof duct system. Additional heat storage was gained from the stone floors.
Photovoltaic panels were installed on the roof and the central section of the house had glazed sections of the roof with a central wall mass that acted as heat storage and dissipater. The released heat from this wall was re-circulated through a roof duct system. Additional heat storage was gained from the stone floors.
View of rear solar space with bridge connecting the upper rooms
View of rear of house showing the garage and rear patio.
View of West side of the house showing the living room and master bedroom above.
View of rear patio looking into the passive solar space.
View of front hall looking toward the living room.
View of the upper solar space from the connecting bridge. Glazing vents are shown open in this view. Entry from the garage is shown on the lower level.
View of living room looking towards the west.
