What’s New in Residential Design
Redwood Case Study
Photos courtesy of Humboldt Sawmill Company
Project: Harrison Lake House
Location: Cascade Bay, British Columbia, Canada
The Project: On the point of Cascade Peninsula, the entrance to Cascade Bay on Harrison Lake, stands a recently remodeled home with exceptional views of the lake and surrounding mountains. The largest lake in southwestern British Columbia, Harrison Lake was formed by glaciers and is a popular boating, camping, fishing, and hiking mecca located 2 hours east of Vancouver in the Fraser Valley.
Built in 1999, the Harrison Lake home was purchased by the current homeowners in the fall of 2019. The home is primarily used as a weekend getaway during the warmer months from April to October. Besides the breathtaking views, the area holds special meaning for the family. The homeowner’s father and grandfather logged the area in the 1950s, even living in a logging camp on Cascade Bay.
The Design Challenge: Upon acquiring the property, the homeowners undertook an extensive remodel, focusing on the interior kitchen and outdoor living spaces. In total, an impressive 1,200 square feet of outdoor living space needed to be added. The addition was to include a covered barbeque and outdoor kitchen, as well as a fireplace, seating, and dining areas.
The Design Solution: Given the home’s proximity to the water’s edge, the entire outdoor living space is achieved via an expansive, three-level deck. The original decking material was pressure-treated pine. For the remodeled deck, totaling 4,000 square feet, the homeowners chose a naturally durable wood species in redwood. Selecting a clear redwood grade, the homeowners like the mix of reddish heartwood and lighter colored sapwood. The covered section of the deck features a beautiful vaulted timber ceiling.
Due to the home’s location in a high fire-hazard area, the redwood decking was treated with a Class A exterior fire retardant. Such treated redwood decking, with listings available through the California Office of the State Fire Marshal Building Materials Listing program and an ICC-ES Evaluation Report, may be used without restriction in fire-hazard areas.
In designing the project, unobstructed views of the lake were paramount. A glass railing system was installed along the entire length of the three-level deck. The mix of sleek, modern glass in the railing system, stone in the fireplace, and natural redwood deck boards create a timeless design with a space described by the owners as cozy and unfussy.
The Results: “Harrison Lake is a special place for our family going back to the days of my father and grandfather,” says the homeowner. “We bought the home for its spectacular views. By upgrading it with additional outdoor living space and using long-lasting redwood for the decking, this is a space we will enjoy for years to come. We could not be happier with how it all turned out.”
Innovative Residential Fenestration
In many contemporary buildings, residential or commercial, the use of large areas of glass are incorporated into the design. There are many different design reasons for this, ranging from the capturing of views, the creation of a dramatic space, visual connectivity to the outdoors, and the capturing of sunlight for solar gains in the heating season. The performance of these large, glazed areas is an equal concern to the design considerations, however, and there have been many innovative developments to improve on the traditional means of adding fenestration to buildings.
Typically, the most common means of adding glass and glazing to a residential design has been to use individual window products that are inserted into framed openings. While this is effective in many cases, there are size limits based on the materials used and the type of glass incorporated. Commercial buildings, on the other hand, have had other options available, particularly where fixed glass is preferred. These include aluminum storefront glazing systems and curtain-wall systems. A recent innovation by several window manufacturers has been to offer a similar choice for residential designs as well.
Residential Curtain Walls
Curtain walls are generally defined as non-load-bearing glass wall systems that hang (like a curtain) in front of or between floor structures. The framing is attached to the building structure and does not carry the floor or roof loads of the building. As such, curtain walls provide a means for glazing an entire single-story or multistory facade that may reach heights of up to 20 feet, depending on the design of the building. Curtain walls are usually front glazed over the support framing of vertical and horizontal members. They also incorporate a self-draining design and can be either prefabricated by a supplier or fabricated on-site from individual components.
Curtain walls have been used for decades on commercial buildings, and they have proven to be quite popular and perform very successfully. It is not surprising then that the same product engineering principles have been applied to create innovative residential curtain-wall systems. However, there are some notable differences between commercial and residential curtain walls, including:
- Different expectations: Curtain-wall systems for residential construction must be different from commercial use in terms of fit, finish, and aesthetics.
- Operable fenestration: A curtain wall for residential use should allow for multiple configurations of operating windows and doors as well as fixed glass.
- Structural integration: Residential curtain-wall systems can be designed for load-bearing applications, if required.
There are several beneficial characteristics provided by residential curtain walls that meet or exceed these differing requirements. First, curtain-wall systems can replace some traditional window walls that have individual windows that are mulled together. Mulled units have innate disadvantages such as increased weight, reduced glass area, and discontinuous connection points. Mulling on-site can also be difficult and require additional time and costs. Second, residential curtain walls provide cleaner, more streamlined aesthetics to home designs. The use of hidden connectors and continuous visible wood lengths allow for clean, finished joints. There is also the benefit of a cleaner, less-obstructed view.
Photo: Casey Dunn Photography; courtesy of LaRue Architects
Residential curtain walls are an innovative glazing option that builds on the success of commercial curtain-wall systems but with fabrication and detailing specifically suited to residential projects.
Timber Curtain Wall Case Study
Photos courtesy of Loewen Windows and Doors
Project: Clarksville Residence
Location: Austin, Texas
Architect: LaRue Architects
The Project: Located in the historic Clarksville neighborhood of Austin, Texas, this private residence needed a renovation. The owners worked with LaRue Architects to create a vision that could meet their living needs while updating the design of the house.
The Design Challenge: The existing home was originally built in the 1920s in a bungalow style. Sitting on a sloped site, the rear/side of the home commanded a dramatic view overlooking downtown Austin. The challenge of the project was to remodel the historic front facade that aligns with the character of the neighborhood, while adding a modern addition that captures the incredible views of the city.
The Design Solution: The restoration of the street facade kept the traditional neighborhood aesthetic and scale, while the side of the home was opened with glass to capture the incredible view of downtown Austin. This was achieved by organizing the living spaces of the home along that axis and then utilizing timber curtain-wall (TCW) systems for maximum visibility. Almost every room has views toward downtown, and many have direct exterior access. The TCW system in the living space features integrated glass doors that lift and slide to open to the patio and pool.
The Results: The residential renovation is completed with respect for the original design and a new, modern addition that meets the owner’s needs beautifully.
