Copper House
Taking inspiration from Richard Serra’s sculptural artifacts in the landscape, the conceptual basis of this house for two artists is a minimalist object cutting into and through and emerging from the earth.
The materials, copper and stone, speak about raw natural material. The demarcation line between the two earthen substances provides a horizontal datum which projects strength and clarity piercing the contours of the site.
The heavy base of local alcove bluestone and the richly patinated copper panels for the upper section create a composition of complex textures. The stone is rough and irregular, and the precise fabrication of the copper panels is rigid and crisp. The color of the copper reacts with the sunlight and is in constant flux as the patination progresses.
The upper level of the home consists of a large open space to allow for the clients to host parties in celebration of openings of their artwork. Downstairs are studio spaces. All areas of the building, both upper and lower, have direct access to the ground through ramps and cutting of the earth at the base. The lower level being bermed and protected with the heavy stone mass provides a large degree of energy efficiency while the large curtain wall towards the view to the west provides for ample solar gain with breathtaking views.
