Treehouse

Large overhangs protect outdoor spaces

The large south deck overhang shades is summer, penetrates in winter

Cantilevered deck allows four parking spots for possible apartment in garden level, Translucent Privacy walls protect from wind and rain.

Butterfly roof, birds beak scupper

Glass wall brings the park setting into house

"Biophilic design is a concept used within the building industry to increase occupant connectivity to the natural environment through the use of direct nature, indirect nature, and space and place conditions." Hi, I'm Dana McBride, architect/builder from Fort Collins, CO. I describe myself as a compulsive designer who builds to support his design habit. I've made a career in Fort Collins, CO of finding lots which have south facing backyards on natural areas, such as parks or dedicated open spaces, and designing and building for-sale homes. One of the primary design objective for this home was to provide maximum privacy while opening up to the adjacent nature area and sky. This house sits on a small urban infill lot in the neighborhood of Old Town North. It has all the right ingredients, with one caveat - there is an alley on the back south side adjacent to the park, thus the Great Room had to be placed on second floor to be on the south side of the lot. The house is sheltered under a large overhanging butterfly timber framed roof. The large south facing glass wall and 12 ft. overhang allows sun to penetrate in the winter and shades the wall and protects the deck in the summer. the polycarbonate greenhouse glazed wing walls provide privacy and acts as a wind screen. The central scissors stair, with its woven wood railing, connects the six floor levels or zones, so that it's only a half flight between floors. Making it easy to commute between isolated levels. Locally quarried massive stone fireplace stores heat then slowly releases it. The dimmable art studio lighting is designed to create different moods at different times and is especially configured for some big art on the walls. Gourmet kitchen with expansive island is the focal point of the great room. Everything I've learned in my 30 year career of designing and building energy efficient homes is incorporated in this house, from added insulation and air sealing to the interior designs for the kitchen and bathrooms. The house is 3300 sf, with a 660sf unfinished garden level apartment, with its own private entrance and parking. The exterior cladding of metal and stucco are sustainable and maintenance free. I invite you to visit or call for a private socially distanced tour. Be well.

Kitchen