HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter to Paul Dwellings Proposes to Build Two Separate Low-Cost Homes 06/07/2009June 7, 2009
PaulPageDwellings proposes to build two separate low-cost homes facing south on 15tn
Street, between Cumberland Street and Rock Street. These homes represent the ideas of
sustainability and will take their style, scale and passive features from the past.
PaulPageDwellings wants to be innovative, but restrained, so that the homes can be
attainable to first time homeowners and urban pioneers. Using existing infrastructure, on
a marked bike trail and public bus route linked to the award- winning MacArthur Park
Master plan "Connections a Vision For a City in a Park" and the SoMa Neighborhood
Design Plan, we will continue to create a livable traditional neighborhood. These
sustainable, economically viable homes will continue to build on the neighborhoods
diversity and inclusive desires of those living nearby. We want to collaborate to build a
walkable neighborhood.
The first dwelling, the Neotrot brings back to life a former dogtrot once located at the
corner of Daisy Bates and Rock Street. The Neotrot has two -bedrooms, with adjoining
baths placed at either side of a center gathering room (dogtrot), kitchen, dining table,
seating area are in this space. The pens are the bedrooms suites. The dwelling faces due
south, to optimize solar gain in the winter and shade in the summer. The exterior display
will be eight -inch shiplap cypress board, cut and milled locally. The roof will be m-core
galvalume, a cool roof material that has a silver color to reflect and emit sunlight. There
will be no standard fireplace, only a pellet stove, if desired by homeowner. The windows
will be Windsor or Kolbe style, energy -efficient; both have exterior cladding, which will
be operable for natural cross -ventilation. A whole house attic fan will be employed to
assist in cooling. The outside areas will have wooden, horizontal fencing, the parking
pads will consist of porous gravel, the grass, Bermuda (low watering) and the additional
landscape will stress drought tolerant trees and plants. There will be areas to collect
rainwater runoff from roofs and areas to grow food in raised garden beds.
The first dwelling, along with the second home would meet many of the criteria for
LEED Home and LEED for neighborhood development. Points would most likely be
awarded for the connections and community site, the existing infrastructure, size of
homes, lack of garages, cool roofs and water -efficient fixtures and landscape and
numerous other home features. These two urban designs are developed with nature and
culture in mind.
The second dwelling, on the corner of 15th Street, is interpreted as a modern Four -Square
home. The 4-sq. dwelling faces south too.. The two-story has a kitchen and gathering
space on the first floor. The second floor includes three -bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Windsor or Kolbe windows that open for cross -ventilation, as well as a direct solar vent
for the attic space, will act to cool the sleeping areas. PaulPageDwellings will not mimic
the hip roof of the past, but instead use a flat -white membrane roof to reflect heat, cool
the city and use its gradient behind a parapet wall to collect rainwater in the future. The
exterior display would be a Hardie Board product in a panel and lap display, for low
maintenance, durability and sustainability, much like the cypress board would perform
over its lifecycle. The Four -Square house usually had a porch and our 4-sg. Porch is
located on the southeast corner. Interiors would be simple, just like the past. The fencing
and outdoors again would be similar to the Neotrot, wooden and horizontal fences at a
friendly height to neighbors and pedestrians. Drought resistant grasses and planting
would makeup the landscape. The driveway would be porous gravel pads. Raised garden
beds and rainwater collection will be available and the southern exposure will also allow
for future renewable energy sources.
The hoped for goal is to create a passive, sustainable dwelling for urban pioneers that
take advantage of its location to make possible the beliefs of a walkable neighborhood.
Sincerely,
1_Aj
LEED AP
PaulPageDwellings
Encl: photos, intemet articles, physical samples