In addition to a commitment to building green, our clients for this project shared with us three particular goals: To connect to a courtyard or garden; to take advantage of a spectacular Bay view; and to harvest rainfall as a precious resource. These simple ideas became the main form-givers for the house. We kept in mind the Roman Impluvium, an ancient courtyard building type whose roofs flow to a central cistern. In our case, the site suggested an open courtyard linked to a restored native landscape.
A kitchen/dining/sitting area reaches to the distant view, while a central two-story living room links daily life to the more immediate sensory delights of a fully restored native plant garden and courtyard.
This poster describes the home’s rainwater catchment system, designed by Watersprout in collaboration with GHA, and permitted by GHA.
© Photography by M. Kibbey, Structural Engineer Kevin Donahue, General Contractor W.B. Elmer & Company, Rainwater Catchment System by WaterSprout, Sunshade Fabrication by Jenny Hurth, Elbow Grease Designs