MODERN GREEN HOME

Location: South Louisiana
Contractor: Precision Construction Group
Landscape Design: Makaira Landscaping, & Roundtree Design
Interior Design: N/A
Photographer: Oivanki Photography

The Owners wanted to design a house that could serve as an example of their philosophy of living a more “green life”. To achieve this, innovative ways to tread softly on the environmental footprint were explored with energy efficiency as an undertone on various levels. With their vision firmly ensconced, the design concept for the house unfolded with a design team that explored everything from a cistern water recovery system to a geothermal air conditioning system and a roof mounted solar panel system that at times can put energy back onto the utility power grid. The house is placed on a lot that has existing landscape features that have a strong influence on the design and placement of the house. These include a Live Oak on the front left side that has a large branch that hugs the ground pushing outward towards the street and a bamboo stand that engulfs the site on three sides. The bamboo influenced the design of a fence that surrounds parts of the lot made with bamboo stalks that are secured within a anodized aluminum frame that matches the color of the aluminum finish used on various parts of the house. As a guest walks onto the site, they enter through an opening in the bamboo at the street and then journey to a front door that has a stained glass designed by a local artisan that shows traces the Mississippi River’s route through Louisiana. The backyard features an “Endless Pool” surrounded by a patio of stained concrete and composite wood decking with a large stand of bamboo as a back drop. The two story home is laid out in a “T” shape, with the main two story trunk providing a first floor of living spaces that look outward to the site in all directions and a second floor of bedrooms that features a balcony that puts one into the branches of the Live Oak with views to the front yard. Two wings emanating from the two story shape include the Garage wing that features translucent glass panels that glow at night when the interior lights are on. The Master wing elongates the house towards the backyard and contains a Library and the Master Bedroom Suite. All have views and access to the backyard.
A Loggia along the west side of the house serves as a circulation spine providing views and access to a side yard that has a Green House made of aluminum and glass that satisfies the owners’ desire to work in the soil, creating a garden that provides herbs for cooking among other things. All in all this is not only a home, but a lifestyle for the Owners.