Copperwood House / HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles

Copperwood House / HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles - Exterior Photography, Facade, ConcreteCopperwood House / HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles - Interior Photography, Bedroom, Windows, Door, BedCopperwood House / HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles - Exterior Photography, FacadeCopperwood House / HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles - Exterior Photography, FacadeCopperwood House / HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles - More Images+ 22

Zionsville, United States
  • Clients: Kevin & Rachelle Swan
  • Collaborators: WERK | Building Modern
  • City: Zionsville
  • Country: United States
More SpecsLess Specs
Copperwood House / HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles - Exterior Photography, Facade
Courtesy of HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles

Text description provided by the architects. Copperwood broke ground in fall 2015 for the family of four seeking an energy efficient, modest, modern dwelling. The site’s name, originated by the Owner’s son, was inspired by the color of the surrounding woods and landscape; an untouched natural site adjacent to farmland and bustling with wildlife, but itself not ideal for agriculture. Ultimately, the design solution was a balance of the unique site opportunities paired with the Owner’s simple lifestyle needs and love of travel. 

Copperwood House / HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles - Exterior Photography, Facade
Courtesy of HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles

Of the 20 acres, about 3 were available for construction, with much of the remaining acreage wetlands. Of those 3 acres, an abandoned pipeline intersected from northwest to southeast, helping to further narrow and refine the design concepts. We knew we wanted to design the spaces for passive solar with an east-west primary orientation, but this was counter to the angle of the pipeline. These site constraints resulted in three distinct volumes placed perpendicular to one-another (bedroom wing, living wing, and garage wing). Each component steps with the pipeline angle while maintaining the desired solar orientation and orthogonal relationships, which also happened to work perfectly for desired views and site access.

Copperwood House / HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles - Interior Photography, Table, Beam
Courtesy of HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles

Since the site is not adjacent to any local roads, it is accessed via a ¾ mile shared easement drive which was once a rail-line. The new gravel drive is located to frame the most complimentary approach while shielding the vehicle court to the far side. 

Copperwood House / HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles - Interior Photography, Door
Courtesy of HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles
Copperwood House / HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles - Image 27 of 27
Floor Plan
Copperwood House / HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles - Image 25 of 27
Lower Plan
Copperwood House / HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles - Interior Photography, Bedroom, Windows, Door, Bed
Courtesy of HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles

Before engaging the architect, the homeowner had researched prefabricated structures to protect their Airstream, but once we got into the design process, we were confident that the Airstream could provide a unique design opportunity; why not incorporate the Airstream into the overall program and design solution as integrated component (guest room, home office)? Its placement and turn-around became a unique driver of the design, quickly leading to the wing-roof structure sheltering not just the main living space, but also the covered outdoor space and Airstream dock. This primary roof element looks out over the southern landscape angled for passive solar with the bedroom and garage wings providing a flat-volume counterpoint. The surrounding sloped landscape remains mostly undisturbed, with extra soils used to create an elevated soccer pitch to the south.

Copperwood House / HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles - Interior Photography, Table, Shelving
Courtesy of HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles

It was no problem achieving abundant natural light to the main level living spaces and bedrooms, but we also wanted a nice quality of light in the lower level, which includes a partial walk-out. The desire for more natural light led to a north-facing light-well garden on the entry side of the home. This idea eventually led to the entry bridge feature, featuring custom hardware + turnbuckle-clevis details to resist lateral shear.

Copperwood House / HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles - Interior Photography, Bathtub, Sink, Bathroom, Countertop, Windows
Courtesy of HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles

Thermally-treated wood (Ash) siding wraps the Bedroom and Garage Wings and will weather grey. Main living-dining-kitchen spaces are wrapped in pre-finished white cement board with exposed fasteners. The lower level is exposed concrete. Flat roofs are white TPO, and main shed roof is corrugated metal. Front entry and a portion of the auto canopy are covered with clear corrugated acrylic. Doors and windows are black aluminum clad wood. Skylights are Velux, some operable for stack-effect ventilation. Custom hardware was designed + fabricated for canopies and treated lumber used for all exposed structure at canopies and roof overhangs with galvanized metal end covers at cantilevered joists (treated wood is left unfinished). Overall, exterior materials are designed for low-maintenance and resilience.

Copperwood House / HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles - Image 26 of 27
Section

Interior features open concept planning with distinct components for Living, Bedrooms, and Garage detailed to make their relationships apparent inside and out. Exterior materials at bedroom wing continue through to interior making the architectural stair wall cladding. Kitchen space features front and back areas with pass-through to serve outdoor entertaining. Lower level features architectural stair, north light-well, and regulation table tennis area for nationally-rated Owner.

Copperwood House / HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles - Exterior Photography, Facade
Courtesy of HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles

Mostly low-tech passive and active green-building strategies were implemented throughout, including passive solar, narrow footprint and abundant glazing + clerestories +skylights for daylighting, permeable driveway (gravel), natural cork flooring, wood-burning stove, thermally-treated wood, construction efficiency (4-foot module), geothermal HVAC, extra wall and roof insulation, overhanging roofs optimized for solar angles, minimized windows at west exposure, low-energy appliances and lighting, and smart programmable controls. Flat roofs are sized for future intensive green roof and solar panel integration. The home achieved a HERS performance rating of 43, which is 60% better than a standard new energy-code-compliant home.

Copperwood House / HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles - Exterior Photography, Facade, Concrete
Courtesy of HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles

Project gallery

See allShow less
About this office
Cite: "Copperwood House / HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles" 07 Jan 2020. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/931404/copperwood-house-haus-architecture-for-modern-lifestyles> ISSN 0719-8884

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.