Gamezone
Sierra Nevada
“A larger place for the family to gather, connected by a bridge to our house” was the initial request from our friends and long-time clients. The site is located at an elevation of 6,200 feet above sea level in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Completed just months prior to the pandemic crisis, the initial program requests of additional living space with game tables and video that included spaces for outside living, dining and cooking, exercise and yoga’ proved prophetic. The family has sheltered here during the stay-at-home orders with an expanded tool kit available to enhance and maintain mental and physical health during this time of isolation due to stay at home orders.
The living area is flanked by an exercise and yoga space oriented to the morning sun and a screened porch to the west for dining and cooking. The kitchen lives at the intersection of the bridge and the new house. The upper level opens to the south with sliding glass panels out to a level turf area built from excavation spoils. Game tables occupy the main space in a field like organization. Entry, garage and sleeping rooms open onto grade due to the down slope of topography.
A ground form of media blasted concrete builds the lower level below grade and rises up through the upper-level framework to build partial closure, the fireplace and lateral support. The framework above utilizes engineered lumber including studs, floor joists, and doubled glue laminated beams that lighten dimensions while supporting 200 pounds per square foot snow loading. Interior walls and ceilings are fitted with site native cedar, spaced and backed with Rockwool insulation. Floors are sheathed in flamed basalt, also native to this site landscape. Wood is left unfinished to maintain its true character and eliminate any off-gassing from finishes.
Sustainability is addressed here through passive strategies – orientation, infill lot utilization, adaptability, fire resistance, planned minimized maintenance and enhanced glazing, insulation mechanical and electrical systems.
Built on the family’s existing house property, the bridge may be disassembled, and the house will function as a separate residence or accessory dwelling unit (ADU). It is accessed separately with independent utilities and street address. The exterior is built of non-combustible materials, except the cantilevered roof which meets local fire WUI codes thru the thickness of members. A fire-rated prefinished, perforated steel rainscreen assembly sheathes the wood framed portions of the enclosure.
What has become evident during this time is that attributes long considered important for living have now become critical to the well-being of people.
Team
Greg Faulkner
Jenna Shropshire
Daniel Thompson
Christian Carpenter
Owen Wright
Collaborators
Civil Engineer: Shaw Engineering
Contractor: Mountain Craft
Structural Engineer: CFBR Structural Group
MEP: Sugarpine Engineering
Lighting & Interior Design: Concept Lighting Lab
Photography: Joe Fletcher