RAMMED EARTH in a REMOTE VALLEY

Surrounded by Carson National Forest, New Mexico

Friends and clients with an extraordinary site off the grid.  The house is set in a privately held valley fully surrounded by National Forest.

This project is owner built with kudos to a nephew, some wonderful friends and a rammed earth specialist. 

Walls are constructed of 2 ft. thick locally sourced rammed earth juxtaposed against glass and simple galvanized steel at non-load bearing ends.

The interior is continuously rimmed with in light which lifts the roof off the massive walls and allows the New Mexico mountain sky to be present everywhere.  The roof structure consists of simple exposed steel joists.

An entire exterior wall of folding glass doors opens at one end.  Kitchen, dining and living unit is a separate building from the master bedroom. Walking outside was intentional so that the owners could regularly connect with their surroundings.

An outdoor shower completes the indoor-outdoor living experience.

GRAPH SHOWS INTERIOR TEMPERATURE STABLE IN GREEN AND EXTERIOR TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATION
Graph shows how Rammed-Earth modulates fluctuations - indoor temperature is stable
the house remains snug in winter snows
house in larger context of meadow and valley
Jonathan Siegel reviews model on site with client
Early sketch proportion, volume, light

Friends and clients with an extraordinary site off the grid.  The house is set in a privately held valley fully surrounded by National Forest.

This project is owner built with kudos to a nephew, some wonderful friends and a rammed earth specialist. 

Walls are constructed of 2 ft. thick locally sourced rammed earth juxtaposed against glass and simple galvanized steel at non-load bearing ends.

The interior is continuously rimmed with in light which lifts the roof off the massive walls and allows the New Mexico mountain sky to be present everywhere.  The roof structure consists of simple exposed steel joists.

An entire exterior wall of folding glass doors opens at one end.  Kitchen, dining and living unit is a separate building from the master bedroom. Walking outside was intentional so that the owners could regularly connect with their surroundings.

An outdoor shower completes the indoor-outdoor living experience.

GRAPH SHOWS INTERIOR TEMPERATURE STABLE IN GREEN AND EXTERIOR TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATION
Graph shows how Rammed-Earth modulates fluctuations - indoor temperature is stable
the house remains snug in winter snows
house in larger context of meadow and valley
Jonathan Siegel reviews model on site with client
Early sketch proportion, volume, light

Friends and clients with an extraordinary site off the grid.  The house is set in a privately held valley fully surrounded by National Forest.

This project is owner built with kudos to a nephew, some wonderful friends and a rammed earth specialist. 

Walls are constructed of 2 ft. thick locally sourced rammed earth juxtaposed against glass and simple galvanized steel at non-load bearing ends.

The interior is continuously rimmed with in light which lifts the roof off the massive walls and allows the New Mexico mountain sky to be present everywhere.  The roof structure consists of simple exposed steel joists.

An entire exterior wall of folding glass doors opens at one end.  Kitchen, dining and living unit is a separate building from the master bedroom. Walking outside was intentional so that the owners could regularly connect with their surroundings.

An outdoor shower completes the indoor-outdoor living experience.

GRAPH SHOWS INTERIOR TEMPERATURE STABLE IN GREEN AND EXTERIOR TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATION
Graph shows how Rammed-Earth modulates fluctuations - indoor temperature is stable
the house remains snug in winter snows
house in larger context of meadow and valley
Jonathan Siegel reviews model on site with client
Early sketch proportion, volume, light