Benefiting

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DATE: Saturday, October 18, 2014
TIME: 11:00am – 5:00pm
COST: $30 Online in advance, $40 Day of
LOCATION: A link to the tour homes’ locations will be posted here
TRANSPORTATION: Self-driving, Self-paced

Advance tickets are on sale through FRIDAY, October 17 AT 8:00 PM for $30 each. Tickets purchased after that time MUST be purchased at any of the tour homes beginning at 11:00 am on October 18 for $40 each. Children 12 and under are free.

Tickets get you into all homes on the tour.

Advance tickets WILL NOT BE MAILED. You MUST pick up your advance tickets at any of the three WILL CALL locations on the day of the tour (October 18, 2014) beginning at 11:00 am. Will call locations will be announced as soon as the home lineup is finalized.

Featured Homes

90 Thornton Ranch Road – WILL CALL

Architect:  Jon Dick, Archaeo Architects

The first prerequisite in designing this home within the Galisteo Basin Preserve was to respect the land. It was our hope the house would become one with the landscape; all else follows after that. So the siting of the house was critical to the success of the design.

The property affords a number of excellent views to the distant horizon, and like many settings in the southwest; there is a low lying horizontality to the topography. As such, we intentionally wanted to express that in the architecture. The northern portion of the house is carved down into the land several feet, to express that the structure is deeply rooted to the earth.

After an extensive study of the site, it became apparent there were three primary views and one quadrant that required a shielding from the predominant northwest winter winds. The result was a pinwheel design wherein the central core contains the primary rooms. Secondary functions are spaced out along four primary walls, which slide out into and engage the landscape, while at the same time framing the significant views – the Ortiz and Sandia Mountains to the southwest, Cathedral Hill and the Sangre de Christo Mountains to the northeast and the panorama of Galisteo basin to the southeast.

Since the northwest side receives the brunt of the winds and its views are modest, we placed the vehicular access in this location. The architecture is intentionally shut down and fortress-like on this side of the house with very few openings, adding mystery to the approach sequence. It is only after one has entered the house that views are gradually and generously revealed.

The house and landscape intertwine. The northern portion of the house is carved into the land several feet; to express a rootedness to the earth, while the southern portion rises to meet the panoramic view.

The character of the home is distinctly contemporary, which accentuates and focuses attention on the organic features of the land, which are embraced by the architecture. By adhering to, yet abstracting, the underlying principles of the southwestern vernacular, with its lean, almost Zen-like simplicity, the architecture recedes back to allow the views to the natural environment to dominate. The stark contrast between the manmade architecture and natural scenery complement both.

An underlying aspect of the house is the significant sustainable building practices that have been implemented, such as roof water harvesting, a 240 panel photovoltaic solar array, a geothermal heating system and a louvered portal roof to control sunlight into the living room. A substantial portion of the property has been left in its natural state, just as it was found… and will remain.

Photo Credit: Chris Corrie

Photo Credit: Robert Reck

Photo Credit: Robert Reck

Photo Credit: Chris Corrie

Photo Credit: Chris Corrie

1600 City Lights – WILL CALL

Architect:  Steve Oles, Interface Architects

The residence, 1600 City Lights, is located in the Las Lomas subdivision, within the western city limits of Santa Fe, New Mexico. It is sited on irregular and sloping topography, a difficulty which is offset by spectacular eastward views of the City and Sangre de Cristo mountains. These views are celebrated by two large, pocketed glass sliders protected by a generous semi-circular covered portal.

Although subdivision covenants severely limit building parapet and floor level heights relative to existing grade, the goal of keeping most (over 80 per cent) of the main living floor on a single, step-less level was met by depressing the uphill side of the floor plate six feet below grade. This feature, plus the installation of a residential elevator facilitate residents’ ability to comfortably ‘age in place’.

The bi-axial plan is centrally anchored by a stone chimney mass which supports an interior and exterior fireplace, as well as the entry water feature. The principal bedroom suites are located at opposite extremities of the linear plan for maximum mutual privacy.
The building is highly sustainable in terms of energy and water conservation-with superinsulated walls and ceilings, operable windows, clerestories and skylights, Energy Star appliances, water restrictive devices, and a heat recovery ventilator. It features a 4,500 gallon sub-grade cistern fed by roof stormwater, and a 3.2 Kw array of rooftop PV solar panels. The project has been certified as a LEED Silver home.

6 Juan De Gabaldon – WILL CALL

Architect:  Jon Dick, Archaeo Architects

The client desired a secluded retreat within the hills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The natural character of the site is emphasized, while the architecture recedes back to frame views within the site and beyond to the panoramic western horizon. This was an exercise in keeping things minimal. It was a reductive process where we explored reducing the design down to its essence in an almost Zen-like manner.

Natural light enters the house in unexpected ways, dramatically washing walls with direct sun during key times of the day, while at other times; the light is transformed to a subtle glow. By way of using light as a form defining element, the architecture responds to the evolving day as well as the seasons of the year, allowing the house to have a dialog with the cycles of nature.

The site is steep and narrow and the hope was to keep the house as close to one level as possible. This required close attention to the topography so there was as little intervention onto the site as possible. The result is an expression of anchoring into the landscape on the back side, countered with elevated portals on the front that lifts one’s eye and accentuates the broad view across the Rio Grande valley to the Jemez Mountains. The hope was to have a feeling that the house ascended out of the land instead of being imposed on it.

14A Calle Me Gusto

Architect:  Vahid Mojarrab, WAMO Studio

The Grier residence is an excellent example of sustainable, contemporary and forward-thinking design. This residence uses the Passive House approach for energy conservation and to achieve site-zero energy consumption. The building is cutting-edge, environmentally conscious design that shows that construction methods must constantly evolve in order to efficiently counter challenges of both energy efficiency and social responsibility.

A basic pattern of rectangles and triangles contains an ordered structure of regular and irregular forms. This order interrupts a repetitive linear rhythm creating playful spaces that blur the indoor/outdoor boundary. The building is loosely arranged allowing sunlight multiple opportunities to light and shadow, creating beautiful patterns inside and out. Despite the small size of the residence, the design succeeds in bringing the landscaping deep into the home, introducing a noticeably airy feel, reinforced by beautiful views from every room. The outdoor space is designed to offer either an intimate space for residents to enjoy privately or can work as an extension of the entertainment space.

This all-electric, net-zero energy home reaches beyond just net-zero energy consumption. The high quality of construction components also protects against building damage and improves the sense of comfort. The high standards proposed for this home will pay for themselves from the outset, as there are immediate and considerable savings in terms of energy costs.

1710 W. Alameda St. #1

Architect:  Gabriel Browne, Praxis

Green and Modern, this 1760 sq. ft. LEED Platinum home puts the pieces together to fit a uniquely artistic program into an equally unique community.

1204 Calle de Agua

Designers: Nancy and Bill Zeckendorf and Greg Teakle

The Zeckendorf residence was custom designed by the renowned master developers and local designer Greg Teakle in 2006. This revelation of space, light and phenomenal views is perched on one of the highest lots in prestigious Sierra del Norte, a mere 7 minutes to the very heart of downtown Santa Fe. With clean lines, expansive spaces and panoramic vistas courtesy of large exposures in the primary entertainment areas, this stunning property has true dramatic impact. An adjoining parcel just to the south is included in the sale to assure maximum privacy and protection.