JACKSON
UNBUILT
This home was designed as an all seasons vacation home for a family of four.
Located in Kirkwood East Meadows directly adjacent to Kirkwood ski resort, the design was driven by the client’s program and environmental factors, but primarily as a home to shed and protect from snow and ice.
The region has the highest snow load design factors in the Sierra.
The roof consists of a simple asymmetrical pitch roof that steps up to follow the topography of the site. All of the doors and windows are positioned for views, access and passive solar optimization but are deep set for snow protection in the winter months. The entry approach and hall are deep set and covered for an exterior no-snow zone in front of the home.
The south facing roof pitch is larger for solar access and to shed more snow to the south/melting side of the home. Adhesive solar panels will be installed between the standing seam metal roof ribs.
The exterior finishes that are not protected from the elements are square corrugated metal. While the interior protected surfaces (walls and ceilings) are a clear cedar for warmth inside and outside of the home.
The plan is a square, which was driven by the parcel setbacks, but also as a design choice for simplicity.
The angled entry flares South to the Eastern side of Kirkwood valley to get more direct views of red cliffs along with the glazing and balcony at the primary bedroom.
Located in the high alpine, sustainability was a crucial component to this design. This project includes in-floor hydronic heat with multiple zones for energy efficient controls, and operable windows and ceiling fans to limit the use of air conditioning.
Solar was a major consideration in this design. Passive solar strategies were used to maximize daylighting in the winter and minimize heat gain in the summer. The home is also intended to be wired for solar film, anticipating that solar film technology is advanced enough to meet the snow load requirements by the time the project is built.
The envelope exceeds R values in both the solid walls and fenestration with argon filled dual glazed doors and windows, clad/thermally broken frames, fully closed cell insulation in both the wall, roof and floor cavities, and rigid insulation under the slab. Deep set windows and doors were incorporated for snow protection.
