THE STRAWBALE RETREAT G E T T L I F F E A R C H I T ECT U R E
THE STRAWBALE RETREAT Program Summary: This strawbale home was designed to relate to the surrounding environment and serve as a welcoming retreat for friends and family. The multinational owners wanted to uphold the inherent character of the majestic site – located at the cusp of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the San Luis Valley floor – throughout the process and in the final result. Designed to merge into its natural setting and link occupants with the outdoors, this modern Colorado home was also constructed to be energy efficient, sustainable and green in all aspects of the process. Project Location: Crestone, Colorado Sustainable Aspects: • The longitudinal layout and low profile design harmonizes with the surrounding environment and the use of clerestory windows and appropriately placed apertures allows natural light and ventilation to reach all interior spaces. • The one-story, varying floor-level home integrates into the existing topographical contours in such a way that natural drainage is not disturbed or modified, and low profile rooflines do not protrude above the treetops. • A two-foot deep heat storing sand bed, inlaid with a hydronic, solar thermal system, evenly distributes and stores heat from the sun for several days and radiates through the concrete slab flooring. • A post and beam structure with 14” strawbale insulation reduced the amount of wood needed for construction and provides a high level of insulation. • Low-E glass double glazed windows help minimize the home’s energy consumption. • Hydronic solar panels, and passive solar techniques supply over 80% of the energy. • A trombe wall with southern glazing absorbs heat throughout the day, which it then radiates in the evenings, providing thermal comfort. • Energy-Star appliances, dual flush toilets and natural landscaping reduce water consumption. • Ecologically responsible construction methods were used throughout the process: wood from other construction projects were reused, extra strawbales were composted on site, and a tight construction perimeter was maintained to preserve the soils and vegetation surrounding the house. Natural features and vegetation on site were protected throughout the construction process, restored, or incorporated in the design. Today, the home draws friends, family and guests in from across the world as a place of retreat and gathering – to slow down, relax and connect to nature.
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Cottonwood Creek
San Luis Valley
geographical location - Crestone, Colorado
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aerial view
Site
Sangre de Cristo Mountain range
site plan
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floor plan
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Section A-A
Section B-B
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view from the south
view from the west 6
view from the northeast
view from the southwest 7
dining room study - view from the sitting area
kitchen island study - front view 8
kitchen & living room study - view from sitting room
kitchen island study - rear view
sofa geometry
living room - sofa
sofa elevations 9
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staking
foundation
foundation
post and beam framing
post and beam framing
post and beam framing
foundation
framing
strawbale walls (exterior)
framing
post and beam framing
strawbale walls (interior)
strawbale infill
interior finishes 11
from the southwest 12
from the southwest 13
from the south
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from the west
kitchen, stairs, & living room
stairs toward bedrooms
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view from kitchen
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kitchen
stairs, entry & living room
indoor/outdoor sitting area
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sitting area toward the San Luis valley
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view of dining room & sitting area
living room & entry from the east
living room & kitchen
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master bathroom
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master bedroom
Sangre de Cristo mountain range to the north-east
from living space towards the Sangre de Cristo mountain range
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AWARDS & PUBLICATIONS Houzz – “5 Vacation Homes That Live Lightly on the Land” (May 2016) Houzz – “Rivestimenti in Terra Cruda per una Casa a Elevato Comfort Abitativo” (June 2016) Marvin: Architects Challenge 2015 Houzz – “Houzz Tour: A Straw-Bale Getaway With Sweeping Views” (May 2015) Estudio 505 – “Strawbale Getaway” (July 2015) Modern in Denver - Aligned With Nature (Summer 2014) Architect Colorado - Responsibility and Sustainability (Fall 2012) Architecture: The People, Places, and Ideas Driving Contemporary Design (2012) AIA Denver - 2011 Architects Choice Awards
PROJECT TEAM General Contractor:
Modern Primitive Design
Structural Engineer:
1571 48th St. Boulder, CO 80303 p. 303.808.7398 e. thomas@netzerostudio.com www.netzerostudio.com
Mech. Engineering:
TEEG Inc. 200 Quebec Street, Building 600, Unit 211 Denver, Colorado 80230 p. 866.376.4790 www.teeinc.com
Ascent Group, Inc. 6707 Winchester Circle #100 Boulder, CO 80301 p. 303.449.3022 e. mail@gebau.com www.ascentgrp.com
Photography:
David Lauer Photography
Boulder, Colorado
Managua, Nicaragua
p. 303.997.6042 e. david@davidlauerphotography.com www.davidlauerphotography.com
3014 Bluff Street, Unit 101 Boulder, Colorado 80301 p. 303.449.9155 e. info@gettliffe.com www.gettliffe.com
Km 12.8 Carretera Masaya Managua, Nicaragua p. 303.242.5356 e. info@gettliffe.com www.gettliffe.com
Dominique Gettliffe