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Architects: Specht Harpman Architects
- Area: 2400 ft²
- Year: 2013
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Photographs:Taggart Sorensen
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Manufacturers: LiveRoof, Pompeii, Prutting and Company, SPJ Lighting, Spark Modern Fires
Text description provided by the architects. The Weston Residence nestles in a valley adjacent to the Saugatuck River. In plan and section, the elements of the house engage the site in a way that purposefully blurs the transition and distinction between the built and natural environment.
As the house is approached from a road that begins high on a cliff above, the roofscape—or fifth façade— becomes a critical element of the design. Terraced planes planted with year-round, region-specific succulents step down the hill. Bedrooms project out into these roof gardens, giving a feeling of being fully immersed in the landscape. The planted roofs are also integral to the high-performance building envelope.
Interior and exterior spaces are joined through views, portals, and material continuity. A glass-backed fireplace provides an elegant surprise. Like other glass houses, the landscape becomes the “decoration” for the rooms, playing with transparency during the day and reflectivity at night.
