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  Stal Tre Hus (Steel Tree House) Residence

Project Data: 2,640 sq. ft. single family dwelling with 600 sq. ft. garage & 400 sq. ft. mechanical basement
Location: Tahoe Donner, California
Description: Subtly suspended in the Central Sierra Nevada forest canopy, the Stal Tre Hus' (steel tree house's) floating planes and corner glass spaces coexist with tree limbs as the residence strides into the landscape. Vertical plaster towers and steel beams facilitate a delicate 300 lb. / ft. snow load solution. Inherent difficulties of integrating the required garage (at 6,300 ft. elevation) into a 70 ft. wide x 180 ft. deep - shotgun - downsloping lot, initiated the creative solution. We felt the need to integrate the design of the garage with that of the whole structure. Vertical (interior / exterior) plaster towers , spanning steel beams, and redwood and glass infill define the delicate vocabulary. Shear towers cautiously landing on the forest floor, provide a sensitive alternative to the conventional foundation. Regional / historic material evolution, redwood, clear & translucent glass utilization, enhances the "indoor/outdoor" fusion.
Project Team:
Architect:
Joel L. Sherman
J.L.S. Design

Contractor:
Jon Traeger
Norwegian Wood Construction Co.

Structural Engineer:
Louis Woods
Gabbart + Woods Structural Engineers

Energy:
Clement Woods
Woods Energy Consultants


Construction:

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