lagniappe house
location: new orleans, la
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type: design competition
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size: 1,024 sq.ft.
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this home is located at the edge of a dense forest in the suburbs of the city. a retired artist and his wife needed a place to get away from the city. a painter's studio was incorporated into the home where the client could continue practicing his art. taking advantage of the large lot, a courtyard is created in the center of the home where the owners can entertain and enjoy the sunny days. an outdoor fireplace was proposed for large parties. since the owner's wife is a retired chef, a large kitchen with a wok cook area was included, as well as, a small vegetable garden. clerestorey windows, low roofs with chain water-leaders are some of the west coast building design features of the home.
Lagniappe in the Cajun dictionary means 'something extra' or 'something special' like the extra donut in a baker's dozen. This house is also 'something extra' as it will surely be a beacon of how to build an extremely energy efficient low-cost house type in New Orleans.
The colors on the front and back are a gradient of blue to yellow, two of the Louisiana state colors. The white color in the middle of the state flag is represented by the use of interior white wall paint. The front yard is a semi-private space designed for socializing with neighbors and people as they come on by. A large concrete raised conversation deck is designed just for this place of good cheer, and perhaps to share a laugh with friends and watch the sun rise in the morning. The plan of the house follows the shotgun typology. From the front door, a long space (entry-kitchen-dining-living) is continuous along the south side all the way to the backyard. Two bedrooms and a bathroom are located off to the north thru a common hallway. An extra space, the lagniappe in the plan, is the loft accessible by a small ladder off this common hallway. Due to the compact shape of the house, an extra large backyard remains, for the kids to run and play, or perhaps a dip in the pool on a hot day.
Low cost:
To keep the construction budget for the house manageable, a simple building form was determined: A-frame. The roof panels are prefabricated off-site and attached to the steel frame on site. Twelve concrete pillars are cast in place to provide a raised elevation for building the main floor platform for the house. Platform is constructed of two 4” thick concrete slabs with an insulation layer sandwiched between the two slabs. The construction will be a thermal mass to ensure the house remains cool during the summer and collects solar heat gains in the winter. During the summer, when excessive sun may shine directly into the house causing increase in indoor air temperature, external shutters will be lowered to screen the windows. These external shutters will also work as hurricane screens, as well as, create extra privacy and security for the homeowner.
Materials:
Simple palette of materials commonly used by local trades was selected for the Lagniappe house. The roof consists of standing seam metal roofing which will have a long life and will reduce the heat island effect with its high reflectance qualities. The siding, at the east and west walls, is fiber-cement panels which can be painted. The windows have metal shutters that will protect them to ensure long life and reduce maintenance. Metal mesh screens are integrated into the design to offer screening and privacy but continue to allow natural light to filter through.
Ventilation / heating / cooling:
During the summer months, when the humidity is high, the windows and doors will be kept closed as is the norm in the Southern lifestyle. Roof areas provide ample space for locating photovoltaic and solar hot water panels. The solar photovoltaic panels will power the ceiling fan and will circulate cool air throughout the living spaces. The concrete slab will keep the home cool as prevailing breezes pass through under the house. During the winter, when cold winds mostly come from the north, the solid roof will block and divert breezes around the house. The concrete floor slab will be heated with embedded radiant heating pipes with hot water heated by the solar hot water panels. Warm air will be the circulated by the heat-recovery ventilator. Window glazing on the east and west elevations with high solar heat gain coefficients will help allow ambient solar gains into the house.
Water / plumbing:
Rainwater collection is integrated into the roofs with two large containers located within the space under the house. Due to the large roof area, rainwater collection is maximized thereby will be used for clothes washing machine, shower, and watering the gardens. Drying clothes will be done on a clothes line in the backyard whenever the weather is accommodating. Hot water heating will be provided by solar hot water panels and when extra heating is required a small on-demand gas water heater is supplied. Toilets will be low-flow, dual-flush type. Kitchen faucet, bath faucets and shower head will be low-flow to reduce water consumption.
The colors on the front and back are a gradient of blue to yellow, two of the Louisiana state colors. The white color in the middle of the state flag is represented by the use of interior white wall paint. The front yard is a semi-private space designed for socializing with neighbors and people as they come on by. A large concrete raised conversation deck is designed just for this place of good cheer, and perhaps to share a laugh with friends and watch the sun rise in the morning. The plan of the house follows the shotgun typology. From the front door, a long space (entry-kitchen-dining-living) is continuous along the south side all the way to the backyard. Two bedrooms and a bathroom are located off to the north thru a common hallway. An extra space, the lagniappe in the plan, is the loft accessible by a small ladder off this common hallway. Due to the compact shape of the house, an extra large backyard remains, for the kids to run and play, or perhaps a dip in the pool on a hot day.
Low cost:
To keep the construction budget for the house manageable, a simple building form was determined: A-frame. The roof panels are prefabricated off-site and attached to the steel frame on site. Twelve concrete pillars are cast in place to provide a raised elevation for building the main floor platform for the house. Platform is constructed of two 4” thick concrete slabs with an insulation layer sandwiched between the two slabs. The construction will be a thermal mass to ensure the house remains cool during the summer and collects solar heat gains in the winter. During the summer, when excessive sun may shine directly into the house causing increase in indoor air temperature, external shutters will be lowered to screen the windows. These external shutters will also work as hurricane screens, as well as, create extra privacy and security for the homeowner.
Materials:
Simple palette of materials commonly used by local trades was selected for the Lagniappe house. The roof consists of standing seam metal roofing which will have a long life and will reduce the heat island effect with its high reflectance qualities. The siding, at the east and west walls, is fiber-cement panels which can be painted. The windows have metal shutters that will protect them to ensure long life and reduce maintenance. Metal mesh screens are integrated into the design to offer screening and privacy but continue to allow natural light to filter through.
Ventilation / heating / cooling:
During the summer months, when the humidity is high, the windows and doors will be kept closed as is the norm in the Southern lifestyle. Roof areas provide ample space for locating photovoltaic and solar hot water panels. The solar photovoltaic panels will power the ceiling fan and will circulate cool air throughout the living spaces. The concrete slab will keep the home cool as prevailing breezes pass through under the house. During the winter, when cold winds mostly come from the north, the solid roof will block and divert breezes around the house. The concrete floor slab will be heated with embedded radiant heating pipes with hot water heated by the solar hot water panels. Warm air will be the circulated by the heat-recovery ventilator. Window glazing on the east and west elevations with high solar heat gain coefficients will help allow ambient solar gains into the house.
Water / plumbing:
Rainwater collection is integrated into the roofs with two large containers located within the space under the house. Due to the large roof area, rainwater collection is maximized thereby will be used for clothes washing machine, shower, and watering the gardens. Drying clothes will be done on a clothes line in the backyard whenever the weather is accommodating. Hot water heating will be provided by solar hot water panels and when extra heating is required a small on-demand gas water heater is supplied. Toilets will be low-flow, dual-flush type. Kitchen faucet, bath faucets and shower head will be low-flow to reduce water consumption.