The design objective was to merge cutting-edge technology & sustainable architecture with the experience of living among nature. The Taafe residence opens with a 15-foot entrance door into a Great Room, the north-façade of which is protected by a 23x36 ft. glass curtain wall. The glass wall opens like an aircraft hangar door, extending the living experience outdoors. An open floor plan combines kitchen, living, and dining areas. To the left is a 19-foot cantilevered kitchen island & a LED lit-glass backsplash acting as a 19 feet door to the hidden appliance and utensil cabinet. A simple wave of hand close to the glass automatically opens or closes the backsplash hiding all the clutter & creating a minimalist clutter-free look. To the right, a three-sided glass fireplace is the focus of the family room. In the center, a circular glass-floored dining area, cantilevers over a 60-foot-long swimming pool with Michelangelo’s “Creation of Adam” mosaic tiled floor. The hydraulic-operated glass curtain wall filters daylight directly into the basement. Such creativity fulfills the request for 3 levels of sunlight, despite city restrictions limiting building to 2 levels and a basement. The house’s most remarkable features are those unseen. A SMART house piloted by one-touch or voice control. A gray water & rainwater harvesting system saving approximately 34,000 gallons of water annually & minimizing municipal water use. The photo-voltaic solar system offsets 95% of the home’s energy usage. The heating system optimized by the use of 95% efficient Hydronics on an aluminum clad subfloor radiant system, operates at a 20% lower temperature compared to a traditional system. Lastly, to achieve the ideal humidity, temperature, and indoor air quality in this home, a whole-house dehumidifier with a fresh air return system, monitors and maintains the comfort zone for the occupants throughout the day and night.
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