Sustainable Hover House 3 Maximizes Outdoor Living By “Hovering” Over The Yard

Designed by <a href="http://www.glenirani.com/" target="_blank">Glen Irani Architects</a> the Hover House 3 is the third in a series of Hover Houses, which aims to reduce the amount of indoor living space by taking it outside. Each Hover House "hovers" over the ground floor creating a protected outdoor living space, thus reducing materials needed, but never at the sacrifice of living space. Located within the Venice Canals in California, the third home was constructed on a tight lot and goes above and beyond when it comes to sustainability. Green materials, a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/off-grid-rammed-earth-house-on-navajo-nation-catches-the-wind/" target="_blank">wind tower</a> and solar panels have all come together to create this stunning eco-residence.

The 3-bedroom, 2-office, 2.500 sq ft home proposes that interior living space be reduced in favor of less resource-intensive outdoor living amenities.

Situated on a tight lot, the home expands upwards hovering over a large covered outdoor patio, which sits next to the at grade garage. Living space and bedrooms are located on the second and third floors.

Translucent panels provide privacy and solar shading.

By spending more time out-of-doors the owners can expect to reduce energy costs, resources and their carbon footprint.

On top of their expanded outdoor living area the home relies on natural ventilation, proper window placement and a wind tower that extends 9' above the roof to eliminate the need for air conditioning all together.

A large open entry way and courtyard helps move air through the space.

A life cycle analysis was performed to determine which materials had less embodied energy and the decision was made to use man-made slate panels, exposed concrete walls and radiant hydronic heating and many of the finishes.

The home's design works to reduce environmental air and noise pollution.

Additionally, a roof-mounted photovoltaic system offsets 80% of the home's power demands.

The extra outdoor living space also helps infiltrate more stormwater.

The large daylight master bathroom.

The hope is that the Hover House concept sets a standard in temperate regions for eliminating significant portions of the interior floor area in exchange for exterior living areas, thus saving resources and reducing the project’s carbon footprint.

A model of the home explains the layout of the rooms and outdoor living area.