Houzz Tour: An Ecofriendly Family Home Gets in Line
Without any curved lines but with a wealth of energy-efficient features, this remodeled home in Northern California has plenty of appeal
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
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"You won't find a single curve or arc in this house or landscape," says residential designer Leigha Heydt. Heydt teamed up with a developer to build this sustainable-minded house on spec. Very quickly, the straight-lined home appealed to a young family of New York City transplants. In addition to a family-friendly layout, Heydt prioritized resource-saving features — such as bamboo floors, energy-efficient windows and skylights, water-saving plumbing fixtures and landscaping — and blurred the lines between indoors and out. The home is GreenPoint rated and within walking distance of a grocery store and other businesses. The couple and the home can age together, too, thanks to an accessible downstairs bedroom and full bath.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A family with 2 boys
Location: Mill Valley, California
Size: 2,300 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
That's interesting: This home is called Green Lines, because of the strict use of straight lines inside and out, as well as renewable and resource-saving features.
Builder: Jake Glavis, Pacific Ridge Construction
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A family with 2 boys
Location: Mill Valley, California
Size: 2,300 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
That's interesting: This home is called Green Lines, because of the strict use of straight lines inside and out, as well as renewable and resource-saving features.
Builder: Jake Glavis, Pacific Ridge Construction
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| Strong horizontal lines in the railings, overhangs and wooden siding help unify the exterior's assemblage of materials. The developer originally wanted a wood facade, but Heydt incorporated as much stucco as she could (on the first floor and on the sides of the house), because this stucco is more durable and fireproof than wood siding. She put the wood, a stained western red cedar, where it would make the most visual impact. She used the same red cedar on the garage door but stained it dark gray. |
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| BEFORE: This is the original house, which was torn down to the studs so that the floor plan could be opened up and healthier, modern insulation, paint and other materials could be used. Heydt preserved the exterior footprint of the existing home and added a second floor. |
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| She also borrowed a wise idea from the original home. Recessing the front door created a protective front porch and a grander sense of entry. It is tucked between the garage and living room bays, and covered by an upper balcony. The guardrail frames are the same western red cedar used on the siding, and the metal railings are powder-coated tube steel, precisely inset into the posts by a CNC saw. Attention to detail created continuity and a careful balance of materials. For example, Heydt had the planters and soffit screen fabricated in matching powder-coated steel. And she had the concrete stained to match the color of the metal railings. |
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| "Permeable landscape materials are a very important aspect of green building," says Heydt. The driveway design allows rainwater to sink into the soil, where it can be used by the landscape plantings. The gray pads are colored and stained concrete, the golden pebbles are Mexican pebbles (also called buff), and the grasses are a native species, Juncus inflexus 'Blue Mohawk'. |
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Geometry is at play from the foundation to the roof. "The relationship between the materials and the geometric forms creates its own balance," Heydt says. "The horizontal lines of the wood siding play off of the vertical lines in the downspout and railing, while the grid of the soffit screen ties it all together."
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| "Because the house is a compact size and the design is very modern, we wanted an open great-room design for the lower floor," Heydt says. "The front of the house has very few windows, because the developer wanted the home to feel very private from the street. However, once inside, there is a completely different feeling — it is very bright and open, because the back of the house is almost entirely glass." Extensive back windows and the open plan make the most of the home's southern exposure. "Maximizing the natural light is not only a green building measure, but also just makes a lot of practical sense," Heydt says. "The owners tell me they almost never have to turn on any lights during the day, and the home uses very little energy for heating or cooling." |
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| Here's one of the homeowners, Cindy, coming into the family room from the deck, which spans the back of the house. "The deck makes the house feel much larger," says Heydt. "Because the weather is very good year-round out here, the deck is used a lot as an extension of the house." Modern furnishings continue the straight lines, with just a few curves thrown in from a classic Eames Lounge Chair. Bench (underneath the TV): George Nelson for Herman Miller; sofa: Klein, Room & Board |
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The lower windows were acid etched and screened with a wall of bamboo outside to let it natural light while preserving privacy. "The outlines of the bamboo leaves can be seen swaying in front of the windows," Heydt says.
Taking the limestone fireplace surround from floor to ceiling created a bold modern take on a chimney.
Fireplace surround: Fossil Green limestone; woven leather chair: De La Espada; windows: aluminum-clad Marvin wood; coffee tables: Bee Market
Taking the limestone fireplace surround from floor to ceiling created a bold modern take on a chimney.
Fireplace surround: Fossil Green limestone; woven leather chair: De La Espada; windows: aluminum-clad Marvin wood; coffee tables: Bee Market
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| "While the parents prepare meals, the children do their homework or watch TV in the adjacent family room space. The layout allows for the family to stay engaged with one another while using these common spaces," Heydt says. "When the family entertains, guests flow in and out of the home through the patio doors as though there were no separation between the inside and out." Bar stools: Radius, Room & Board; cabinets: Nexus Black, Ikea; counters: Calacatta Oro marble |
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| "I designed the landscape to be highly integrated with the house," says Heydt. "From the inside of the house, you see the color green through every window." A row of mature camellias inspired the placement of this window in the kitchen. "When they are in bloom, the backsplash view is spectacular, and when they are not, it is a serene introduction of greenery into the kitchen," Heydt says. She sized the backsplash window to fit the space precisely between the cabinets and the counter. The reflection off the translucent glass upper cabinets gives the illusion of a continued outdoor view. |
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| Homeowner Peter in front of the new dining room. "Since the floor plan was so open, I wanted to create a little intimacy for the dining room and define its space as separate from the foyer and living room, which are extremely close," Heydt says. "One of the columns contains a structural post for the floor framing above. The portico effect of this design incorporates the column and achieves the design goal at the same time." Dining chairs: Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller |
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"Because the front of the house has very few windows for privacy reasons, we brought natural light into the home through the use of many skylights on the upper floor," Heydt says. "Skylights line the stairwell and hallway ceilings as well as the two bathrooms. The skylights are incredibly energy efficient due to the type of glass they contain. They let in light but keep heat and cold out."
The interior staircase railing is the same powder-coated steel in the same color as the exterior railing.
The interior staircase railing is the same powder-coated steel in the same color as the exterior railing.
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| This cabinet and shelf wall in the master bedroom houses a TV, fireplace and computer area. The doors to the right lead to a balcony overlooking the backyard. |
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This back balcony spans the length of the house and is accessed from the master bedroom and another bedroom. "The balconies also serve a safety purpose; the glass doors serve as egress accesses, which are more attractive than egress windows and let in more light," Heydt says.
She chose this Pebble Tec flooring, an epoxy-set aggregate with little gray Mexican pebbles, because it resembles a loose-gravel garden path.
She chose this Pebble Tec flooring, an epoxy-set aggregate with little gray Mexican pebbles, because it resembles a loose-gravel garden path.
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Heydt (shown here) surrounded the master bathroom tub in the same porcelain tile she used on the floor: Grey Ground, by GranitiFiandre. It's made of recycled materials.
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| A floating vanity in the children's bath allows the floor to stretch from wall to wall, making the room feel bigger. Flooring: Grey Ground porcelain tile, GranitiFiandre; cabinet: Rifra, Fonte Collection |
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Plan sketches show the home's layout. This is the first floor, including the deck.
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Here is the second floor.
Heydt loves seeing the family enjoy her design. "I am thrilled they own the house, because they really understand and appreciate the aesthetic," she says. "It was so much fun for me to see them move in and start using the house in ways I had previously only imagined."
Heydt loves seeing the family enjoy her design. "I am thrilled they own the house, because they really understand and appreciate the aesthetic," she says. "It was so much fun for me to see them move in and start using the house in ways I had previously only imagined."
Ideabook published on Nov. 24, 2012.
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I like that the exterior, even though it grew by a floor, doesn't seem to overpower either the landscape or most likely the surrounding homes. Love the recessed front entry. Great open floor plan & cave-like space for the dining zone.
Kudos on the open circulation in the kitchen - also it's wonderful to see the abundant natural light that doubles as a backsplash. Two sinks are great to have also!
There are a few things I'd change (I'm a kitchen & bath designer, sorry! :) In the kitchen, I'd have left the island countertop all at one height because of the low ceiling.The only other thing I'd change is the sink in the master bath: I'd make the basin(s) themselves smaller so more usable countertop would be available.
The rest of the house is just beautiful, as is the landscape. Very inspiring - I'll be looking back at this one a lot!
Personally I would rather see full size windows in the front of the house and have indoor stutters for privacy because the tiny windows in the front to me take away the curb appeal of the house seem dark and uninviting which it is not.
I do not like the bathroom with the lady standing in it. The big sink reminds me of a through for horses to drink out of and there is no room to put a tooth brush or makeup when you need it.
I like the balcony and big windows in the back
It takes great skill and passion to create a home of this caliber. Add to that the fact that its a remodel.
The interior is light and open while being very private and protected. The exterior is a great balance of organic colors and materials. The modest profile does a fantastic job of fitting in the site.
The finishes are obviously the work of true craftsmen. Kudos to the builder as well.
And those incredibly energy-efficient skylights? What kind of glass are they made of?
This house reveals its secrets only to those allowed in, and then they burst upon you, a light, joyous surprise that is also restful and peaceful. I imagine everyone who gets past that exterior thinking humdrum thoughts must smile when they walk in and exclaim over the light and openness. If it didn't seem incongruous to say it about a modern house, I'd say the lack of curb appeal is part of this house's 'mystery.' You have to get close; you have to be allowed in, before the surprises are revealed. And then you will smile at a house that is so welcoming. It must be uplifting to enter that house.
Not my kind of house. But a good house. A successful house.
The green points were a combination of different types of green building. Some were energy efficiency measures, some were recycled content materials (bathroom tile), some were about rapidly renewable materials (bamboo floors), some were about less chemicals (in the insulation, paint products, and adhesives) Some measures were about community, porch designs encourage community building, so that was one. The home is located within walking distance to grocery stores and bus lines, etc. Large overhangs (they are 4' deep) protect a home from weather. A place to take your shoes off at the front door is a green building thing because you don't track chemicals into the home, all appliances, including FAU and WH and AC and all kitchen appliances were energy star rated. All plumbing fixtures, low flo, toilets were dual flush, (water efficiency) The landscape was the biggest area for water efficiency.
???
While still appreciating the chicness of eliminating curved lines from the home, does anyone else agree that the master bath looks rather uncomfortable? I would also agree that there is a pretty severe lack of counterspace in the master bath. It seems as though most new homes nowadays come complete with vanities in their master baths.
I would also think that the computor area in the master bedroom would be awfully difficult to sit at for long periods of time considering that it isnt set up as a desk and there is nowhere for your feet to go, youd have to sit hunched forward or sideways to reach the mouse.
The fact that the kitchen backslplash is a window is also pretty wonderful, I love that detail.
All in all, what a fabulous renovation.