Civitas

, Memphis, TN United States

Building Area (sf): 2,798

Completion: November 2019

Architect of Record:

archimania

• Owner/Client:
• General Contractor: Barry Alan Yoakum, FAIA
• Electrical: DePouw Engineering
• Engineering:
  Mechanical / FP Engineering: Haltom Engineering
  Structural Engineering: OZER Structural Engineering
• Other:
  Geothermal Consultant: Hydro-Temp Earth Coupled Heat Pumps
  Solar Consultant: Lightwave Solar
  LEED Certification Consultant: Home Energy Rx
  Lighting Consultant: Benya Burnett Design
  Rain Water Consultant: Rain Harvest Systems
  Landscape Consultant: Plants+People
• Photography:
  archimania
  

A case study house demonstrating high-design and high-performance are achievable in the South. The project focuses on balancing the challenges of cultural norms, climatic concerns, resiliency, and adaptability.

This project is poised to become the first certified zero energy/zero carbon single-family home in the Americas. Positioned overlooking the Mississippi River, the house involves its site fully, connecting interior and exterior and private property with community space.

The client desired to create a rich family experience through connected spatial relationships, transparency, and material continuity. Four components evolved: an elevated plinth of outdoor space mitigating open and private zones, an open living pavilion with views of the River, and private sleeping quarters above, connected by a circulation gallery. At the top, an intimate perch provides views of Downtown.

The open living pavilion connects inhabitants to the community and its place through layered transparencies and expansive views. Interior and exterior merge where living space is bound on two sides by a deep, inhabitable porch and courtyard; all are connected by floor-to-ceiling glass. The living space is clad in concrete floors and a natural finish CLT ceiling and CLT second floor. The exterior material palette of white folded metal panels responds to seasonal changes through shadow, configuration, and reflection. Exterior material elements act as devices by which to measure and observe the natural environment, reflecting the daily transformations of the sky. A system of tunable expanded metal screens allows the occupant to adjust degrees of privacy and filter seasonal solar demands.

The house reduces its operational costs through sustainable design techniques with both passive and active systems. It operates with two-thirds solar panels on-grid and one-third off-grid, with a battery. This project is LEED Platinum Certified.