For a class on integrated building systems, I worked in a group on a project, site and program of our own choosing: a house on the coast of California, chosen for its moderate climate, and a desire to work with a dramatic site landscape. We buried the house in the cliff, for thermal advantages, and developed a way to use the roof for energy and water collection, aiming for complete self-sufficiency.
We began with a sketch, this one by Louis Kahn for his unbuilt Hurva Synagogue. We derived the architectural qualities of our project from his sketch.