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Fly Around

Computer model images reveal the scope of the HólosHouse. These fly around images provide a reasonably accurate picture of the anticipated project out come.

The HólosHouse is destined to be built on a 2.5 acre ocean view site in the Santa Monica Mountains at 2200 feet above sea level in Malibu, California, but can be built anywhere. The proposed case study is a prototype for a new approach to climate management and construction technology.

The HólosHouse is configured as a home/office/studio. The building complex has been designed to demonstrate a range of system solutions applicable to a variety of building types including residential and commercial structures. It also demonstrates the ability to adapt to varied and challenging site conditions. The site in the Santa Monica Mountains exhibits, within its 2.5 acres, an elevation change of 140 feet. Furthermore there are two seasonal streams cutting small ravines through the property.

The project is considered a laboratory designed to validate the principles underlying the HólosHouse and to demonstrate its effectiveness. The designer/scientist, Peter Pearce, will live and work in the complex in order to verify its performance on a daily and seasonal basis and to evaluate its livability. Over several years a full documentation of the project will be created.

The building structures comprise a 5000 square foot two-story residence and studio, a 1200 sq.ft. detached garage, and a 5000 sq.ft, connecting access deck. The detached garage supports the photovoltaic array and contains the corresponding energy infrastructure for the entire complex. The connecting deck enables access to the garage and residence, and provides for ample parking. This deck is large enough to enable a fire truck turnaround, a requirement by local regulations, which is otherwise not readily accommodated on this topologically complex and challenging site.

As seen in these images, the building complex is supported on an array of approximately 20 piers or piles of cast-in-place concrete. This approach enables adaptation to the site requiring no grading, other than borings for the cast-in-place piles. This achieves minimum site intervention preserving the native habitat including the two seasonal streams. The site is populated exclusively by native plants supporting a wide range of wildlife. The building complex is designed to be structurally autonomous, enabling a simple support system using the piles. No conventional foundation is required greatly simplifying the geotechnical and civil engineering.

Note that these images show a flat aerial photograph mapped to the rendered topography. As a result the plant life is not shown in three dimensions. Images are shown at various angles and distances from the structures.