Andrew Maynard Architects’ Hill House is a Louvered Addition that Cantilevers Over an Artificial Hill

Rather than design a traditional addition such as bay window for a client’s house, <a href="http://www.maynardarchitects.com" target="_blank">Andrew Maynard Architects</a> decided to go above and beyond with a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tiny-stacked-marfa-10x10-house-is-a-minimalist-artistic-dwelling-in-texas/" target="_blank">cantilevered structure</a> on top of the existing home. Dubbed the Hill House, the single story home is joined by an elevated cube that rests on a hill and contains the home’s addition. Clad with wooden louvers and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/foster-partners-energy-efficient-mclaren-production-centre-is-partially-submerged-in-a-green-hill/" target="_blank">nestled into the artificial hill</a>, the innovative structure is not only a striking feat of architecture, but is also <a href="http://inhabitat.com/energy-efficiency">energy efficient</a>.

Jutting out over a grassy green smooth hill, the cubic upper unit seems to reach toward the sun.

Adjustable louvers allow the residents to keep privacy and darkness inside, when closed. When open, the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/spains-caja-badajoz-savings-bank-mitigates-the-sun-with-impressive-metal-louvers/" target="_blank">louvers allow natural light to flood the interior</a>, leaking into the space below.

On the reverse side of the cube addition, an open window seat can be used for reading or relaxing, leading out to the plush elevated second floor lawn.

<a href="http://inhabitat.com/emilio-ambaszs-iconic-casa-de-retiro-espiritual-is-built-into-the-earth/" target="_blank">Beneath the sloping hill</a>, the house hides its volume.

A floor through window-door swings open, blurring the lines between outside and in. The private back yard rises with the hill, making it possible to walk to the second floor, over the lawn. The thick sod and grass also insulates the first floor, keeping it cool in the summer and cozy in the winter, lowering energy bills.

From the outside, the Hill House seems to be a modest home, but hidden beneath the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/italian-firefighters-are-superheroes-in-their-new-cave-fire-house/" target="_blank">artificial hill</a> is a spacious and light filled residence.

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