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Architecture | Research and Creative Work

Skow Residence

Date: 8/8/2016
Others Involved: DesignBuildBLUFF at the University of Utah: Hank Louis Andrew Foster Craig Harren Structural Engineer: Christopher O’Hara Principal Studio NYL Structural Engineers Student Researchers: Ellen Adams Brett Blackmon Lura Blumfield Jay Burkhalter Glen Camuso Jacob Ebling William Koning William Murray Rebecca Sockwell JD Signom Faculty Advisor: Rick Sommerfeld 

in collaboration with DesignBuildBLUFF at the University of Utah

Having received a typical Navajo “home build kit”, the clients, Harold and Helena Skow, had already completed a CMU foundation to accept a traditional rectangular gable-trussed home. Unable to complete the building the Skows turned to students from CU Denver and DesignBuidlBLUFF. The students decided to utilize the existing foundation and virtually all of the build kit materials stock piled on site in their design. While walking the site with the clients on their first visit some students took note that Harold wore a large brimmed hat which shielded the harsh sun from his face and neck. When asked about the protective garment Harold commented that everyone should have a sombrero in the desert. Inspired by his comment and resisting the idea of a traditional gable roof house, the team chose to turn the trusses upside down and create a sombrero for the Skows’ home.

Programmatically, the 800 sf, 2-bedroom home is separated into two volumes. The private volume, containing the bedrooms, is wrapped in highly insulative straw bale construction and is located to the north, providing a sense of comfort surrounded by natural earthen plaster and security from the desert elements. The public volume containing the living room and kitchen/dining room opens up to the southwest, providing spectacular views and a connection to the landscape while allowing direct solar gain, in the winter, through two walls of orientation-specific solar glazing. A large deck wraps the western and southern sides of the home and brings the ‘livable’ space outdoors for much of the year, while an eastern entry porch provides shaded outdoor space to gather during summer afternoon hours.

Skow Residence receives a Special Mention in the Architizer A+ Awards, Typology Categories Residential: Private House (XS <1000 sq ft)

College of Architecture and Planning

CU Denver

CU Denver Building

1250 14th Street

2000

Denver, CO 80202


303-315-1000

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