The net zero Yin Yang House was created by Brooks + Scarpa for a growing family who wanted a calm, relaxed and organized environment that emphasizes family space. The private bedrooms are kept small on purpose to emphasize the public rooms and encourage the family to be together. The street front is very private and walled off, but upon entering through the steel door, guests enter an open and natural space. Multiple outdoor courtyards provide a variety of spaces to sit, relax, socialize or play.
The home is organized on two levels, with the public and shared rooms are on the ground floor, while the private bedrooms are up top with access to the green roof, which doubles as a small lawn. A large open layout kitchen/dining/living room enjoys a sliding glass wall that opens to the courtyard to expand the living space outdoors. Eco-friendly materials like bamboo, composite stone, and recycled tile counter tops and bathroom finishes are part of the home’s environmental strategies. A 12 kW rooftop solar system doubles as a sun shade above the outdoor walkway upstairs and provides enough energy for the home. Blown-in cellulose insulation and radiant floor heating contribute to an energy-efficient climate control system. The home was completed in 2011 and has yet to generate a power bill.
Via Arthitectural
Images ©John Lindon
