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Architects: John Friedman Alice Kimm Architects
- Area: 1430 ft²
- Year: 2012
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Photographs:Benny Chan/Fotoworks
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Manufacturers: Antares Enterprises, Hevi-Lite
Text description provided by the architects. The Ehrlich Retreat + consists of a new guest house, pool, and shade structure that combine with the original house (previously designed by JFAK) to create a family compound.
The new structure is contextually related to the original house, borrowing many of its architectural elements, yet has its own identity.
The LEED Platinum project is also a model of "integrated sustainability," in which its green strategies are seamlessly integrated into a unique sculptural aesthetic: the structure's broad frame embraces and gives presence to the new yard, while shading the house's southern orientation; the triangular cut-out over the office creates a dramatic form, but also introduces generous amounts of ambient northern light; the steel and wood trellis provides welcoming shade for the yard, and at the same time hosts a 2.4kW photovoltaic array that powers the house and pool.
The overall result is a responsible, light-filled, and joyful environment.
