Sharp House

Sharp House . Santa Fe, New Mexico

The Sharp House is designed as a minimalist desert retreat for a retired couple from NYC. Located just north of Santa Fe, New Mexico on five acres of land. The house was designed with the intention to be as economical as possible in its construction. The featured building material of the house is exposed cast in place concrete with large glass exposures to the north and south to allow for solar gain and cross ventilation. The interior spaces accommodate 2 bedrooms, dining, kitchen, living areas and bath with a square footage of 2000. On the west exposure of the house is an integrated ladder to offer the couple access to the roof for dusk and evening sky viewing.

The design intention of Sharp House was to maintain integrity with the materials and that all geometries within the architecture reflect the program of the house. The neo-brutalist approach to space is reflected as a by-product in the buildings appearance. The house is a declaration against the gloss of mainstream architectural practice which tend to focus on the exterior “decorative” façades and arbitrary forms. The Sharp House stands in contradiction to this it is a study of space, light and shadow, the essence of architectural experience. 

The house reflects a sound approach to its ecological impact. The large expanses of thermal mass allow the building to regulate interior temperature while naturally ventilating itself through-out the day. The house is powered by monocrystalline solar panels rated at 220 watts, powering 100% of the energy required for the home. In addition, all excess power is fed back into the power grid. It’s a back to basics approach with less becoming more and a statement for a sustainable and humble future. 

Read More