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Floor Plans: Curves, Curves Everywhere
Lee Residence — Ultraspec Homes
Barry R. Barcus Architects, Inc.
It’s All in the Walls: Contemporary look. Architectural flair. Sustainability and energy efficiency. Dennis Lee, of Barry R. Barcus Architects, Inc. in Phoenix, not only achieved all he set out to accomplish when designing his private residence in Phoenix, but he did it by using simple, geometric stucco forms.
Lee used curved textured walls both on the exterior and interior of his home to enhance architectural interest. Outside, curved courtyard walls lead to the entrance of the house. The textured masonry wall is carried inside at the entry, where it serves to divide the foyer from the kitchen, which opens to, and is part of, the great room. This interior curve stops short of the 9-foot, 6-inch ceiling and is further articulated with an 8-inch slot.
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An exterior, curved textured wall extends inside and serves as a divider between the kitchen and the foyer. |
A Home for Entertaining: The great room and kitchen are the heart of his home. A wide screen television and video equipment are completely recessed and, when not in use, can be hidden behind custom European maple cabinetry. In fact, custom maple cabinetry is used throughout the home as part of its contemporary design. In addition, the media wall — as well as several other interior walls — has lighted niches for artwork. Low voltage pendant and tract lighting is used both for effect and energy savings.
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Media wall with custom European maple cabinets opened... |
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... and closed. |
Rooms With a View: Full-height sliding patio doors in the great room, master bedroom and bedroom/office provide views of South Mountain on one side of the home and of Phoenix on the other, while also extending the living space to the patios. A gazebo provides additional outdoor living space and shade.
The office, located near the front of the house, opens to the front courtyard and is partially hidden by a curved wall. The three-car garage is located on the side of the house. Existing natural desert landscaping has been preserved where possible.
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Overlooking South Mountain in the distrance, natural vegetation up close. |
Sustainability and Efficiency: Lee chose Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) from Reward Wall Systems for their thermal mass and high R-value. The ICFs were one of the primary green building features he was able to incorporate in order to achieve his goal of sustainability and high energy efficiency. Lee has also incorporated passive solar design, a high efficiency heat pump, low-e windows and a highly insulated (R-35 blown-in fiberglass) ceiling and roof.
Lee conservatively estimates that he has averaged a 30% savings on his heating bills since he moved into the house in December.
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European custom maple cabinets in the kitchen. |
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[Click for larger view] |
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Features & Specs |
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Lee Residence
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Custom Home Designed by Owner, Architect Dennis Lee
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Total Square Footage: 3,500
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Living Space: 2,500
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Single Story Home With Courtyard and Patio
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Curved Interior and Exterior Walls
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Stucco Exterior Finish
- Three-Car Garage
- Full-Height Sliding Patio Doors to Provide Greater Views
- Passive Solar Design
- 11-inch iForm Exterior Walls for Sustainability and Energy Efficiency
- Flat Room With Two Inches of Urethane Foam
- Energy Efficient Four-Ton HVAC and Heat Pump With Two-Stage Compressor
- 30% Savings on Heating Bills
— Ultraspec Homes, Peoria, Ariz.
— Barry R. Barcus Architects, Inc., Phoenix |
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