Resilient by Design
Working with durable, fire-resilient, and beautiful materials.
As a studio, we work to curate material palettes that conceptually support the design parti, react thoughtfully to the site, are sourced sustainably, and futureproof the structure while protecting its inhabitants.
Currently, two projects under construction in the Santa Lucia Preserve are implementing creative design solutions specifically as it relates to their material selection – foregoing wood siding to marry beauty and functionality in high hazard zones.
Both projects, as required by the Santa Lucia Preserve, have utilized full scale mockups on site to test both the functionality and appearance of each material, as well as how details and finishes will come to life. These mockups have proved invaluable as we explore and experiment with new techniques and strategies to make our designs more resilient.
A modern interpretation of classic Greene and Greene Arts & Crafts style homes, our project, Modern Craft, provided a unique material sourcing challenge. Drawing inspiration from the redwood shingle siding common in much of their work, our studio set out to find a naturally fire-resistant, durable material that also visually references classic Greene and Greene design. After researching and considering a broad array of products, the design team and clients decided on a handmade shingle-style clay brick as the ideal solution to address both our functional and aesthetic needs.
At the onset of construction, the builder constructed a mockup to better understand the architectural vision and work out and refine complex details. The exterior façade consists of ceramic brick shingles capped by thermally modified corrugated wood siding applied over a fire-rated substrate and set on a roman-style handmade clay brick base. Other Greene and Greene-inspired elements include exposed roof beams of heavy timber, which naturally develop a protective char layer if exposed to fire, and a Class-A fire-rated fluid-applied roof covering with a decorative gravel aggregate cast into its topcoat. These materials all work in tandem to harden the home – they are stable, durable solutions for increased wildfire protection that also achieve the desired aesthetic. The result is a design with a clear nod to Arts & Crafts style homes through a modern and resilient lens.
Curveball is designed to be of the earth, appearing to emerge directly from the land, and it’s patinaed weathering steel siding visually reinforces this design narrative. Weathering steel is a versatile material that is highly resistant to corrosion and very durable – requiring little maintenance and reducing the need for replacement. Additionally, underneath the steel, a substrate of mineral wool serves as continuous exterior insulation, as well as a fire-resistant layer. Mineral wool, unlike rigid foam insulation, is fire and termite resistant and has a lower carbon footprint.
More generally, our studio is leaning into continuous exterior insulation in many of our current projects, which enhances building envelope performance, minimizes thermal bridging, and improves occupant comfort.
In both projects, thoughtful material sourcing is one among many strategies that work towards making a building resilient, durable, and beautiful.
