This gorgeous 4,800 square foot residence, designed by Arch11 is located in Boulder, Colorado. Colorado is one of the places to get the most beautiful scene of nature in the United States and Boulder is well known for being a wealthy, intellectual hot spot where environmental and scientific ideas blossom into businesses. Executed with uncompromising detail, surfaces meet with quiet precision creating a serene background for the landscape and mountains beyond. According to the architect: “Working within some of the strictest energy performance codes in the country, the house is designed to be self sustained utilizing a ground loop heat exchange system that taps into the very bedrock seen at the distant ridge. A ten kilovolt photo-voltaic electrical system powers pumps, compressors and the domestic electrical needs. To support an envelope comprised of 50% glazing, a structural steel frame is used in place of traditional stick framing throughout the home. The western facade was challenged by height and wind exposure. The thickened wall is a steel brace frame that incorporates vertical vierendeel trusses to resist the 120 mile per hour winds coming down out of the mountains. Additionally, it accommodates the primary vertical mechanical chases.”
