Site Visit With Jerome

Daly Project Team,

This e-mail is an attempt to share thoughts from my site visit with Jerome last Thursday:

During my site visit with Jerome, it became clear to me that we needed to make a conscious choice to prioritize our project goals and let these priorities be reflected in our massing.  All schemes to this day had attempted to include all our goals (new master suite, exterior master green roof, greenhouse, art room connection, and exterior art space) with equal importance.  However, including them all seemed to sacrifice the adequate functionality of the greenhouse.  Additionally, with the East area of the greenhouse built in to the hillside, it also became obvious that the Western extension piece from Scheme "B" was some of the most valuable greenhouse space on the site with opportunities for early middle and late day sun.  It also became clear that Western extension needed to be re-oriented to it's optimal solar South.  While discussing alternatives that would provide the ultimate greenhouse (detached dome greenhouse and single sloping shed with no upper living space), Jerome and I reasoned that we first needed to try a scheme that attempted the following:

1. Maximize the greenhouse potential and provide as much sloped Southern sloped glazing as possible

2. Block the direct Western sun

3. Relocate the upper Master Suite space as far to the East as possible while minimizing it's footprint

4. Remove the Master Suite exterior space; Any space allocated to this function would directly compromise the greenhouse

5. Explore the Master roof form for it's renewable energy potential

A scheme that successfully provided the above would allow us to evaluate our best configuration for a greenhouse while retaining the primary functional pieces of our program.  Is is with this thinking that I embarked on Scheme "F" now posted on the Daly drawing site.

Additional thoughts:

While on site with Jerome, we discussed for some time the elevation of the greenhouse and the snow pack at the foot of the South wall.  In our latest plan, the greenhouse is sunken three feet from existing grade.  The exterior space around the greenhouse would also need to be regraded down three feet.  This three foot drop is critical to the volume of the greenhouse and it's opportunity for sun exposure.  Jerome added to this discussion that in addition to the three foot drop, the mechanical system would need to be trenched down another three feet.  Another option would be to leave the greenhouse at existing grade and raise the level of the master three feet.  While this would minimize the excavation of the greenhouse site and provide more attainable Southern snow storage space, it would create an awkward three foot level change from the Master bath/closet to the Master bedroom.  Upon reflection, I left Scheme "F" with the greenhouse dropped three feet.  While open for discussion, I think that the 3 ft. level change in the Master would be a much greater inconvenience and that the extra excavation was warranted.  The snow storage to the South is something we will have to discuss.  In our experience, with a mass wall on the south side, there is a natural radiant vertical face that aids in the melting process.  However, the sloped glazing in Scheme "F" will shed and provide significant additional storage requirements.

Your comments on all of the above are greatly appreciated!

Jeff

Daly Project Team,

Please view the Daly drawing web site for new postings.  The new plans and perspectives are called Scheme "F".  The focus of scheme "F" is the greenhouse and maximizing the amount of sloped glazing available to it.  The upper level space is pushed as far East as possible and minimized.  On the roof of the master bedroom, I have placed 27 PV SunPower panels each with 230 watts.  This equates to around 6.2 kW!

Talk to you tomorrow!

Jeff

Agenda: 05.07.09

Meeting Agenda:

Introductions:

1. Look at option D

2. Look at option E

3. Establish criteria and direction for Design

4. Landscape maintenance

5. misc items

This call must be completed by 9:30 sharp as jerome, lisa and emmanuelle have another call @ 10 am

Option E

hi

 here is another idea.. sorry for the poor quality photos from my i phone:) i was thinking of ideas of how to simplfy, provide more light to the green house and solve roof shed issue!!!

we could have a green roof that sheds toward the driveway.. thus cleaning all the collected rain water, providing visual interest when you drive up to the house.

 on the south and west side i see supporting upper master with steel beams inside the green house directly under the master, thus letting maximum lighting from the south and being able to use shed framing for greenhouse. i also see a larger porch/ green patio area off of master tothe west with walk out toward beautiful views and useable safe space 7-9 months of year. Also the extension provides covered out door area below that ties in with a opening from the playroom and from the greenhouse to another outdoor patio. The style is different but still works with the house and maximizes all of the benefits and minimizes roof shed issues and mixed material costs. i was inspired by the new library( bud werner side) in town roof lines that lean at an angle and reference the traditional just orientated differently.

Scheme "D"

Daly Project Team,

Please visit the Daly drawing posting site (Project 8).  As a result of Michael's comments, which we will discuss during tomorrow's conf. call, I have posted Scheme "D".  This scheme attempts to add a two story volume in the greenhouse for a taller tree element and add more light.  The master bedroom would have a small balcony that looked into this space.

Jeff

Meeting Minutes from 4/30/09

Date: 4/30/09

Participants:  Kevin and Amy Daly,Jeff Gerber, Hans Berend, Emmanuelle Vital and Lisa Benjamin

Subject: 3 options for attached green house

Summary of Discussion:

The purpose of the 3 option idea exercise was to get a sense of the inside and outside space as well as look at cost effectiveness

Option C: 1250 sq/ft this was the east orientation with the most greenhouse space and most square footage. this option had the least amount of east light and created some issues for the western addition such as screening the intense sun. This had the option for the largest green roof. 

option B: 1250 sq/ft sloped glazing, less green roof, south facing, gabel orientated North South

Option A: 1000 sq/ft This options creates more inside/ outside space has more sloped glazing and also has the protected porch. gabel north south

we also discussed  the addition and how it relates to the existing structure and blending the green house in.  The points well taken were creating a well built long lasting structure, utilizing more modern materials such as the poly carbonate and copper shingles and how the roof line feels when you approach the house from the drive.

we discussed some advantages and disadvantages of poly carbonate glazing vs glass and will look into this. We also discussed maximizing the light and having michael from ecosystems design review the design to make sure there is enough light for production.

We also discussed snow and water management on the roofs and surrounding landscape that will protect the new structure. Heat tape and gutters are advised.

Hans viewed the site with Bud the excavator and located 2 sites for water catchment. They discussed under cover drainage and french drain systems as well as utilizing concrete tanks( or the undersized septic tank). They also discussed surface collection as well as trenching.

The floor plan was discussed and the use  and function of every space was important.  The upper additional bathroom was discussed and hans will provide several estimates for options. Also the downstairs floor plan was also discussed. Amy liked the idea of opening up the space for indoor outdoor classroom area.

Action Items:

1. Jeff will coordinate a meeting with michael and evo to discuss design and production

2. Hans will provide bids on bathroom options

3. Evo will post chicken run ideas/fence ideas for animals and look into covenants

next meeting Thursday May 7th 8:30 am

Daly Project Team,

I just posted a new drawing showing a section through the greenhouse.

Jeff