Edgewood House in Palo Alto, California by Terry &Terry Architecture

Article source: Terry &Terry Architecture

The design consists of transforming a 1950’s existing Joseph Eichler home. Using a complimenting modern material palette, the design utilizes the primary floor plan, transforming the existing space and forming the new second floor by folding out a series of horizontal and vertical planes of the ground floor. The new roof form creates a large central area and links the bedroom wing with living area. Poured-inplace concrete masses are used to support the roofs, upper floor and cantilevered main stair landing.

Image Courtesy © Bruce Damonte

• Architects: Terry &Terry Architecture
• Project: Edgewood House
• Location: Palo Alto, California
• Photography: Bruce Damonte
• Software used: Archi-Cad
• General contractor: Maor Greenberg
• Structural: Don David

Image Courtesy © Bruce Damonte

The dwelling is designed for a young deaf family, who desired an expanded open plan that incorporates Deaf-Space, creating ample transparency throughout the home, where vision and touch are a primary means of spatial awareness and orientation.

The main living space is situated on the ground floor and offers expansive living spaces that extend into the landscape. Fired black basalt stone pavers flows throughout the ground floor complimenting the cedar wood ceiling of the new roof. Two existing bedrooms and home office are reconfigured to allow more transparency to the gardens. The second floor accommodates an extended family with a set of bedrooms, bathrooms, and sleeping porches.

Image Courtesy © Bruce Damonte

Image Courtesy © Bruce Damonte

The design of the building incorporates many passive and active sustainable energy elements. The East and West facades are widely open to allow for passive solar heating in the winter and natural light year round, while deep overhangs provide shading in the summer. In-floor hydronic radiant heating provides clean and efficient heat, especially when combined with the high thermal mass of concrete slabs. For renewable energy the project integrates photovoltaic panels, solar water heating and rain catchment systems to offset energy and water loads.

Another aspect integrated in the design is the large open space at the core of the structure. This assists people to better sign each other (especially when there are more than 4 people signing). In addition, the two story open space allows someone on the second floor to easily sign toward the ground level. On the second floor we integrated an alcove or “collective space” between the two bedrooms. This can provide space for conversation and interaction outside the bedroom rather than a narrow hallway.

Image Courtesy © Bruce Damonte

Image Courtesy © Bruce Damonte

Image Courtesy © Bruce Damonte

Image Courtesy © Bruce Damonte

Image Courtesy © Bruce Damonte

Image Courtesy © Bruce Damonte

Image Courtesy © Bruce Damonte

Image Courtesy © Terry &Terry Architecture

Image Courtesy © Terry &Terry Architecture

Image Courtesy © Terry &Terry Architecture

Image Courtesy © Terry &Terry Architecture

Tags: California, Palo Alto

Categories: ArchiCAD, House, Residential

This entry was posted on Friday, August 19th, 2022 at 7:42 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.