(Editors Note: Brian Phillips is the principle at Interface Studio Architects (ISA), the designers of our Postgreen Homes line. We are occasionally able to guilt him into writing a post.)
A big part of the fun of working with Postgreen is finding design opportunities within the tight parameters of budget, constructability and time constraints. Simplicity has been at the root of much of our design process. A key example of this elemental approach was established with the original 100K House in the decision to limit the exterior cladding to a single material.
By using only two colors of fiber cement panels we created a vertically proportioned, pixellated, urban camouflaged facade (as seen above). The M&M House and Passive House use horizontal fiber cement planks of varied widths and a painting strategy of different colored stripes adds variety to the otherwise simple exterior. (pictured below)
Our latest variant on this approach has come to be known as the “Tattoo House”. The combination of flat cladding and paint has inspired a full-blown graphic strategy which explores the application of images to individual 2’ x 8’ fiber cement panels as seen in this early rendering of the Skinny Project.
We’ve been working with local Philadelphia silkscreen artist Candy Depew to develop a method for the application of these unique architectural graphics. Candy and her team will print on the panels using large format screens with up to 4 colors. (Before installation the printed panels will be clear coated to ensure resilience through the remainder of the construction process and to prevent long-term color fading.)
Pixel Strategy
In studying how to develop these house “tattoos” we’ve created a standardized approach for translating graphics — potentially from a variety of artists and sources — into a straightforward format for the 2’x8’ panels.
Panel Strategy
Our graphic investigation focused on how to crop existing images and patterns, the size of the images in relationship to the size of the house, and how to use color in a particular way that compliments the pattern and range of scale.
Crop Strategy
Color Strategy
It seems plausible that in the future Postgreen customers might be able to upload raster images and have them appear on their homes. More excitement to come!
Click on any of the images to see larger versions on our Flickr page and please let us know what you think in the comments.
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very cool, but – gulp! – what does an artist add to the cost?! Hand screened panels? I’m as worried that it would be expensive as I am that it would not be!
The treatment looks great – can’t wait to see it.
Looks interesting. Would like to know more about the overall cost of construction and how interiors can be laid out. Would be even cooler if the panels could some how be solar and still work as solid reliable construction. So many questions, but definietly interesting. I’ll be watching…
Greg – The artist is working within our standard exterior painting budget which is not too bad. We will need to pay additional costs to clear coat the panels in the artist’s space prior to transporting and installing at the site. Overall, this will be a very small premium to the overall build cost while providing a very nice portfolio piece to the artist with some profit built in for them as well.
I love the urban camo look. May I ask you who manufactured the panels?