Chesapeake Isle, MD (1982)
This passive solar house located on Maryland’s upper Eastern Shore is perched on a bluff overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. The client is a single woman who desired an efficient home that takes best advantage of the site. The main kitchen-dining-living area is an “open plan” with studio and greenhouse to the east end. The studio can be transformed into two small bedrooms when desired. The second floor is one large bedroom suite that looks down into the main level as well as south toward the bay. A “crow’s nest” completes the apex of the house providing even greater scenic vistas.
The southerly deck is a “stage” that can be covered and uncovered according to conditions. A thickened floor slab functions as a “heat sink” absorbing heat and re-radiating warmth at night. In the basement is a rockbed that provides additional heat storage by receiving heatgain from the greenhouse and re-circulated interior air. This is used to preheat air distributed by a heat pump. Flow is reversed in the summer to cool air for distribution. The entry side of the house (north) is bermed to reduce exposure and to provide earth-mass insulation.
Materials are cedar shingle siding, stuccoed masonry, and quarry tile with oak flooring and detailing.
Good buildings are “grounded”, yet open to sky and to light.
