Pivot Pad, Ignacio Salas-Humara Architect

The project is a composition of elements that are tied together by a strong circulation axis--the boardwalk--that organizes guest parking at one end, takes the visitor through the carport, across a Zen courtyard and to the front door. From there it proceeds visually through the house, across the back yard and terminates at a wood deck that cantilevers over a limestone bluff that overlooks the creek below and the nature preserve beyond. IMAGE: Ignacio Salas-Humara

Pivot Pad, Ignacio Salas-Humara Architect

1000sf new house with very tight budget. Owner had looked at prefab, but we found that in the end they were more expensive than to design & build a small house on site. The project is a composition of elements that are tied together by a strong circulation axis--the boardwalk--that organizes guest parking at one end, takes the visitor through the carport, across a Zen courtyard and to the front door. From there it proceeds through the house, across the back yard and terminates at a wood deck that cantilevers over a limestone bluff that overlooks the creek below and the nature preserve beyond. PHOTO CREDITS: Ignacio Salas-Humara

Pivot Pad

Constructed of dark-stained cedar, the carport was designed to contrast with the shiny metal house. PHOTO: Ignacio Salas-Humara

Pivot Pad, Ignacio Salas-Humara Architect

Carport is made entirely of stained cedar, with parking for one car and a storage unit. The roof collects rainwater into a buried cistern. We found the front end of an International truck at a salvage yard and mounted it as a piece of found art on the storage unit. PHOTO: Ignacio Salas-Humara

Pivot Pad

Early construction of Zen Garden between the carport and the house. The client and I went to a local junkyard and found parts of industrial machinery. We used them as garden sculpture, pots for plants, and opening for collecting rainwater from roof of carport. Notice the rusted steel wall in the recess at the end of the walkway. It is the entry door that pivots open. PHOTO: Ignacio Salas-Humara

Pivot Pad

The carport (foreground is made of stained cedar and features a storage unit. The walkway leads to a pivoting steel door. PHOTO: Ignacio Salas-Humara

Pivot Pad

The client and I went to a local junkyard and found parts of industrial machinery. We used them as garden sculpture, pots for plants, and opening for collecting rainwater from roof of carport. PHOTO: Ignacio Salas-Humara

Pivot Pad, Ignacio Salas-Humara Architect

Close-up of front entry near the end of construction, with Drake Doran, my friend and builder of the house, exiting. The pivot door has a built-in closer that gently closes the 400-pound steel door. The corrugated steel siding is Galvalume. PHOTO: Ignacio Salas-Humara

Pivot Pad

The house is entered through a 400-pound weathered steel pivot door. Although it's heavy, it is set on ball bearings, so you can move it with a finger. It has a closer that gently swings the door shut. The glass transom lets daylight into the entry space. PHOTO: Ignacio Salas-Humara

Pivot Pad, Ignacio Salas-Humara Architect

Because of the tight budget, the kitchen had to be small, but had to be hardworking and efficient. We used the dining table as an additional worktop during cooking. We found that the most cost-effective cabinets and appliances were from IKEA, which totaled $6000. Sea green glass tile backsplash. Light fixtures are from IKEA. PHOTO: Ignacio Salas-Humara

Pivot Pad

Owner can see visitors arrive from the kitchen. She also has a view of the large grassy field to the left where her young son plays. PHOTO: Ignacio Salas-Humara

Pivot Pad, Ignacio Salas-Humara Architect

The master bedroom is at one end of the house. The slot windows behind the bed face the next door neighbor's house, so the glass is frosted to allow daylight but provide privacy. The slot window next to the sliding glass doors is at desk height to provide the person working at the desk views of the back yard and the nature preserve beyond. The sliding glass doors open onto the rear covered porch. The floor is polished, unstained concrete. The ceilings throughout the house are ten feet, giving a feeling of spaciousness to the compact dwelling. PHOTO: Ignacio Salas-Humara

Pivot Pad, Ignacio Salas-Humara Architect

Although the house itself is only 1000 square feet, the rear porch adds another 550 square feet of outdoor living space, making the house feel bigger. Large sliding glass doors open to the porch from every main room of the house. The columns are rusted steel. The stained cedar slats let in the breeze but provide privacy from neighbors. Stained cedar veneer plywood soffit. Light fixtures are handmade and were a gift from the owner's friend. PHOTO: Ignacio Salas-Humara

Pivot Pad

Living room opens onto the house-length back porch and the lookout deck beyond. The chairs were found in a thrift store and upholstered in grey leather. PHOTO: Ignacio Salas-Humara

Pivot Pad, Ignacio Salas-Humara Architect

The wood deck cantilevers over a limestone bluff and overlooks Ranger Creek below and a private nature preserve beyond. PHOTO: Ignacio Salas-Humara