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Project Name
Courtyard Family Retreat
Firm:
Awards Category
Residential Architecture - Built
Project Summary
The program was to create a family retreat for a Bay Area family relocating to Reno with a large extended family and 3 adult children. The owner’s wanted a home for large gatherings and a fun, playful home for future grandchildren to come visit. The Owner’s liked the idea of a courtyard home for privacy. The courtyard concept became an integral part of the design which allowed for a wonderful indoor / outdoor home that takes advantage of the northern Nevada climate and mountain views. The home functions well for the owners and their visiting children and extended Reno family for gatherings with lots of amenities including an in-ground hot tub and pool as well as a bocce ball court and plenty of room both on the interior and exterior for large family dinners. The kitchen was designed for socializing and meal prep by many.
Project Narrative
The home is actually in a 100 year flood plain. The finished floor is 6’ above the natural grade of the home. The key was making the home appear to have been located on natural grade. This drove the design to be a slab on grade home. The primary structural system is exposed steel with concrete and CMU shear walls, with secondary roof framing of exposed glu-laminated beams and structural 2x6 DF decking/ceiling. Interior walls and infill walls are 2x6 wood framing. The structural elements are an integral part of the design’s architecture as well as allowing for large openings of glazing to the spectacular views of Mt Rose and the Sierra foothills. The home responds to the client’s program as a retreat home as well as the unique site, climate, and views of the Northern Nevada suburban location. It provides a wonderful relationship between the interior and the exterior via the courtyard. The U shape plan provides for a very private home from the street while opening to the courtyard and the views of the mountains.
Sustainable Design & Materials
The residence has a 12 kw net metered, solar voltaic system for electrical demands and an (8) well geothermal system which provides radiant in-floor heating and cooling. The home incorporates passive solar strategies with all of the major glazing oriented to the south with views of the Sierra Nevada Range. Large overhangs protect the walls and glazing from the hottest summer exposures. There is a minimal amount of glazing at the north, east, and western exposures.
Exterior Materials:
concrete masonry units with exposed black aggregate - 8x8x16 and 8x4x16 sizes, exposed steel beams, board formed concrete shear walls, rusted steel panels, exposed glu- laminated beams 4’-0” OC, 2x6 structural DF decking-soffits, cedar siding, commercial “storefront” glazing system with low U-value glazing
Interior Materials:
ground polished concrete floors with exposed aggregate, exposed steel beams and glu-laminated beams – stained finish, exposed T&G 2x6 structural DF decking ceilings, board formed concrete shear walls, level 5 drywall finish over wood framed walls, custom walnut cabinetry, paneling and doors, the majority of tile finishes are ceramic handmade in California and Oregon.
Project Stats
Square Feet
6260
Green Building Designation(s)
Date of Completion
December 2024
Project Location
9805 Passa Tempo Dr, Reno, NV 89511, USA
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