Fargo is a house located in Louisville, Colorado and is designed for a former high-level design engineer at Apple. Despite the project’s modern aesthetic, it blends into the historical neighborhood and meets multiple spatial criteria set by the client. These include a detached studio garage, an indoor-outdoor kitchen and easy access to the outdoors. The overall goal for DAJ Design was to incorporate these design elements while achieving net-zero energy consumption.
Continue reading below
Our Featured Videos
The project is located on a narrow, flat site that measures only 37.5 feet (11.4 meters) wide. Because of this constraint, the house is made up of three floors, which include a fully subterranean basement. This makes the home distinct from the other single-story houses on the block.
Related: Rivendell net-zero energy house optimizes solar energy
Outdoor space is a key component of the house. However, the design team had to be creative with how to achieve this, especially because of the narrow nature of the site. As a result of the spatial constraints, the home opens up to the exterior without the use of a traditional lawn. For example, the front porch provides privacy, but offers a welcoming ambiance to the house.
Thank you!
Keep an eye out for our weekly newsletter.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive the latest in global news and designs building a better future.
Meanwhile, at the back of the house, bi-folding windows and doors open up to a large deck. The purpose of these windows and doors is to offer ventilation and natural views. The rear deck is shaded by the level above, which cantilevers off the structure to create terrace spaces on the upper level.
Fargo benefits from the site’s east-west orientation, as it provides the interiors with natural light and warm sunshine. The layout is also conducive to producing on-site solar power. Hence, the roof of the upper level features an arrangement of photovoltaic panels. Besides solar energy, a ground-source geothermal heat pump helps meet heating and cooling requirements. Through the use of these systems, this project became the first fully electrified and net-zero property in the city of Louisville. Unlike other homes in the area, it does not rely on natural gas distribution at all and solely runs on renewable energy.
Photography by Jess Blackwell Photography
