Copperwood: Sustainable Architecture Design for Modern Lifestyles

Copperwood, a project by HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles, began construction in the fall of 2015. The owners, a family of four, were seeking an energy efficient and modern home that would also be modest in size. The name of the site, inspired by the color of the surrounding woods and landscape, was chosen by the owner's son. The property, which was adjacent to farmland and teeming with wildlife, was not suitable for agriculture.

The design of Copperwood was a result of the unique opportunities presented by the site and the owner's desire for a simple lifestyle and love of travel. Out of the 20-acre property, only 3 acres were available for construction due to the presence of wetlands. Additionally, an abandoned pipeline ran through the site from northwest to southeast, further influencing the design. The architects wanted to design the spaces for passive solar with an east-west orientation, but this conflicted with the angle of the pipeline. As a solution, three distinct volumes were created, each placed perpendicular to one another - the bedroom wing, living wing, and garage wing. These components followed the angle of the pipeline while maintaining the desired solar orientation and views.

The site of Copperwood was accessed via a ¾ mile shared easement drive, which was once a rail-line. A new gravel drive was constructed to provide a scenic approach to the house while also shielding the vehicle court.

Initially, the homeowners had considered using prefabricated structures to protect their Airstream, but during the design process, it was decided to incorporate the Airstream into the overall design as an integrated component such as a guest room or home office. This decision led to the creation of a wing-roof structure that not only sheltered the main living space but also the covered outdoor area and Airstream dock. The primary roof element provided passive solar benefits and overlooked the southern landscape, while the bedroom and garage wings offered a flat-volume counterpoint. The surrounding sloped landscape remained mostly untouched, with excess soil used to create an elevated soccer pitch.

To achieve abundant natural light throughout the house, the architects incorporated a north-facing light-well garden on the entry side of the home. This idea also led to the creation of an entry bridge feature, featuring custom hardware and turnbuckle-clevis details for added stability.

The exterior of Copperwood features thermally-treated wood siding on the bedroom and garage wings, which will weather to a grey color over time. The main living-dining-kitchen spaces are wrapped in pre-finished white cement board with exposed fasteners, while the lower level is exposed concrete. The roofs are made of white TPO on the flat sections and corrugated metal on the main shed roof. The front entry and a portion of the auto canopy are covered with clear corrugated acrylic. Doors and windows are black aluminum clad wood, and skylights are Velux, some of which are operable for ventilation. Custom hardware was designed and fabricated for canopies, and treated lumber was used for all exposed structures at canopies and roof overhangs. The exterior materials were chosen for their low-maintenance and durable qualities.

Inside, Copperwood features an open concept design with distinct components for the living area, bedrooms, and garage. The materials used on the exterior continue through to the interior, creating a cohesive look. The kitchen space includes front and back areas with a pass-through to serve outdoor entertaining. The lower level features an architectural stair, a north light-well, and a regulation table tennis area, catering to the owner's passion for the sport.

The construction of Copperwood incorporated a variety of passive and active green-building strategies. These included passive solar design, narrow footprint, and ample glazing, clerestories, and skylights for daylighting. The driveway was made permeable with gravel, and natural cork flooring was used inside the house. A wood-burning stove, thermally-treated wood, geothermal HVAC, extra insulation, overhanging roofs for solar optimization, minimized windows on the west side, low-energy appliances and lighting, and smart programmable controls were also implemented. The flat roofs were designed to accommodate future intensive green roof and solar panel integration. As a result of these strategies, the home achieved a HERS performance rating of 43, which is 60% better than a standard new energy-code-compliant home.

Copperwood is a testament to the successful integration of sustainable design principles with the unique opportunities and constraints of a site. The result is a beautiful, energy-efficient home that not only meets the needs of the owners but also respects and enhances the surrounding natural environment.

Read also about the Contemporary Haven: 901 Broadway Unit #3 by Leslie Cook Architecture Studio project