From the 1950s to a modern eco friendly house designed for today, Turnbull Griffin Haesloop Architects’ renovation of the Atherton Residence in south San Francisco home is incredible. The original house was removed, except for existing mature landscaping and a pond, which were preserved at the owner’s request. The tone for the new residence would be one of refuge, and in harmony with its natural surroundings. Four volumes make up this design – a main house, a study, a pool house and the garage. As opposed to most traditional homes which focus out to the public, these four buildings face inward to the pond, a central garden and the pool. Apart from its surroundings and the sliding glass doors that open to the outdoors, the home’s connection to nature here runs deep. This sustainable design incorporates photovoltaic and solar hot water panels, and home heating comes via a radiant system within the stone floors. For cooling, passive methods are employed, such as strategically placed shading systems and operable windows keep it cool and comfortable. And many of the home’s “green” features are those you can’t see outright – concealed behind the walls are earth friendly materials like high fly-ash concrete, formaldehyde-free casework and denim insulation. Turnbull Griffin Haesloop Architects.
