Contemporary Design in Detail: Sustainable Environments

Above  e design reused steel columns and

beams for the frame, concrete and steel in-

verset decks (concrete roadway) for the fl oors

and roofs, and steel formwork for planters

on the roof.  e heavy frame easily supports

two roof gardens with trees and shrubs over

the garage and house that are accessed by an

external stair. Concrete masonry unit walls

at the garage provide the support for the

concrete deck that forms the roof.

salvaged inverset deck

salvaged steel formwork planter box

salvaged inverset deck

salvaged inverset deck

salvaged w27x258 beams

salvaged w27x258 beams

salvaged inverset deck

181

Salvaged and Recycled Materials

Above Right and Right A simple four-col-

umn frame brought to the building site in

pieces was assembled by crane, using bolted

and welded connections. Columns were

attached to prepared concrete pier founda-

tions. Since the components were partially

prefabricated, the framing was completed in

fewer than two days.

182 Sustainable Environments

Above As the steel-framed structure is inde-

pendent of the building envelope, fenestra-

tion and partitions could be placed anywhere

according to function and composition.  e

exterior walls are fi nished with horizontal

cedar tongue-and-groove siding. With the

frame spanning 38 feet (11.6 meters) in the

short direction, most of the ground-fl oor

space remains quite open.

Salvaged and Recycled Materials

183

Above Right and Opposite  e concrete

surfaces and structure of the inverset decks

are left exposed on both fl oor and ceiling. A

light-framed steel stair with wood risers con-

nects the two-level house within the heavy

steel frame to the great room, adjacent to the

frame. Although the steel beams are quite

substantial, the lightness and refi nement of

the architectural detailing maintains a human

scale and prevents the structure from being

overwhelming.

184 Sustainable Environments

Salvaged and Recycled Materials

185