Detailing A Low Energy Mountain House

THIS PROJECT CALLS FOR A LARGE, OPEN LIVING SPACE ON THE TOP FLOOR, STRETCHING ACROSS THE SOUTH FACE OF THE BUILDING. THE KITCHEN AND DINING AREAS ARE IN THE CENTER WITH SITTING SPACE AT THE WEST END. OUTSIDE THE DINING AREA THERE IS A LARGE, SOUTH FACING DECK. IT SPANS FROM THE BUILDING TO A RETAINING WALL 11 FEET AWAY. THE SPACE UNDERNEATH THE DECK WILL BE USED TO STORE SNOW MOBILES. IT IS OPEN ON THE WEST END AND UNHEATED, BUT THE DECK MUST BE WATERTIGHT, PITCHED SLIGHTLY TO DRAIN AT THE SOUTH EDGE. THE BUILDING WILL BE WRAPPED WITH A THICK INSULATING WALL THAT EMPHASIZES THE VERTICAL. ON THE SOUTH SIDE THERE WILL BE A COMBINATION OF WINDOWS AND SLIDING DOORS LAID OUT ON A GENERALIZED, 4 FOOT MODULE. THE WINDOWS ARE AT THE ENDS, AND THE DOORS IN THE CENTER PROVIDE LEVEL ACCESS TO THE DECK. THE LIVING AREA HAS SOUTH AND WEST WINDOWS. THE DESIGN CALLS FOR A DRAMATIC SPACE EMPHASIZING THE SOUTHWEST VIEWS OF THE MOUNTAINS. THE TASK WAS TO DEVELOP A BUILDING ENVELOPE CONSISTENT WITH PASSIVE HOUSE STANDARDS FOR THE SOUTH A WEST FACADE AND TO DEFINE A GLAZING SYSTEM.