From the Contemporist, link here.

Located on an infill lot in the Point Loma neighborhood of San Diego, the client desired a home that would make the most of its site, be low-maintenance and incorporate a variety of energy and resource-conserving features.

The house has been conceived according to passive solar and natural ventilation design principles. Horizontal sunshades shield glass from summer heat gain, while the interior is naturally ventilated via the central atrium and clerestory windows. The house’s simple form is compact  (48’ L x 40’ W x 23’ H), minimizing the exterior surface area, maximizing thermal performance, and reducing electrical and plumbing runs. The living, dining, kitchen and master bedroom are located on the upper level and oriented to capture views of the Pacific Ocean, Mission Bay and La Jolla.

Due to the client’s concern with durability and maintenance, the house is constructed entirely of steel and integrally colored concrete masonry. The exposed steel seismic-resisting frame is filled in with a super-durable pre-finished panel façade system consisting of real wood veneer over a bakelite core. The walls are entirely non-bearing and are constructed of light-gage steel framing. The roof and floors are framed with light-gage steel, pre-punch for easy routing of services.  Steel typically contains at least 25% recycled content.

In addition to a high “R- value” rating for the walls and roof, the building has a “cool roof” consisting of a membrane system with an aluminized coating.

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