San Francisco’s Solar “Mission: House” is a High-Tech Marvel

Nestled at the base of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin_Peaks,_San_Francisco,_California">Twin Peaks</a>, San Francisco's <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/09/16/ames-cottage-a-small-space-marvel-with-historic-roots/">Mission District</a> sees more sunlight than most other areas of the city -- even throughout the region's notoriously foggy summers, pervasive coastal clouds spill around the sides of the peaks to afford the area a broad swath of sunlight. <a href="http://www.intersticearchitects.com/">Interstice Architects</a>' Mission: House capitalizes on this available solar resource with a highly experimental design that synthesizes translucent front and back façades, smart <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/08/12/japans-otake-house-showcases-sleek-passive-solar-design/">passive solar</a> strategies, and a 4kW <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-power/">solar array</a> that regularly produces more energy than the home consumes. We had a chance to check out this amazing home during this year's <a href="http://www.aiasf.org/Programs/Public_Programs/Home_Tours/Fall_HT.htm">AIASF Living: Home Tours</a> - read on for an exclusive look!

The home's entrance is emblazoned with a "greenskin" made up of <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/02/01/recycled-windshield-greenhouse-grows-more-glass/">recycled glazed windows</a> assembled together into a multifaceted façade. The units were sourced from local reclamation yards and are layered to create striking visual effect.

The rear of the building is capped with a two-story translucent facade made of thermal plastics similar to those used in greenhouses.

The home's <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?attachment_id=161102">bathroom</a> is a marvel in and of itself - the cool blue space contains an airy chamber that is completely open to the sky.

When the weather turns foul, a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?attachment_id=161098">mechanical roof section</a> slides into place to create an enclosed skylit space.

The interior of the home features a large multipurpose creative space that can serve equally well as an office, gallery, or play room. A <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?attachment_id=161103">series of sliding walls</a> provide clean and uncluttered storage space.

A <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?attachment_id=161095">bamboo garden</a> in the back yard provides a place for rainwater runoff to infiltrate, and a spiraling staircase leads up to the living room.

Although the translucent polycarbonate panels offer little insulation value, their south-facing orientation mitigates this heat loss while providing tons of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/daylighting/">daylighting</a> throughout the day.

A rooftop garden planted with tomatoes and herbs tops off the house, while a massive 4kW south-facing solar array soaks up the sun's rays.

The home's architect and owner Andrew Dunbar told me that the project regularly feeds energy back into the grid - no doubt thanks to its luminous daylit design and efficient green building strategies.

The Mission: House's front façade features a "greenskin" composed of locally-sourced salvaged window units.

The home's lower floor features a flexible space that can serve a variety of functions.

An overhead shot of the bathroom while it is exposed to the open air.

The home's rear façade is composed of transparent thermal polycarbonate - similar to the material used in greenhouses.

The roof deck features an edible garden and a massive 4kW solar array.

An adorable line of ducks adorn the bathroom's tiled tub.

Magnetized cabinets offer a fun multifunctional surface for work and play.