our home > design > spatial zoning

The dogtrot and marriage wall clearly define private and public spaces along the north-south and east-west axes respectively. The south façade is mostly transparent and contains the more public entrance; consequently, the southern section of the house is the public zone. The northern section is more insulated, both to minimize thermal loss and exterior exposure of the most private areas. The southern half of the floor plan embodies non-mechanical aspects of solar design, while the northern section houses the HVAC unit, the electrical system, and the computerized office space.

The east-west division further denotes the relationship of public versus private by placing the most trafficked public zone on the southeast and the single most private area on the northwest. Overall, the western half is more mechanical and equipment oriented while the eastern half is more spatially open and functionally flexible.