Stonehaven – Julian, California

Stone Haven is a 3,800 square foot, four- bedroom, zero-carbon footprint, poured-in-place stratified concrete, foam-core, single family dwelling located on fourteen acres in Julian, California in the mountains east of San Diego (elevation 4200’).

Architectural Features:
  1. Landscape Sensitivity in shape, the main theme of the house being modeled after the general profile of nearby Volcan Mountain, visible to the North of the site.
  2. Geological Sensitivity in colors using stratified concrete.
  3. Monolithic concrete construction using Type K expansive concrete to make the 100% concrete roof waterproof and preclude the necessity for roofing of any kind.
  4. Solid concrete portico roof with protruding veins of exposed rock, pockets of crystal and 300 fiber-optic lights invisible unless powered. The portico was formed and poured in compound curves but without any visible form marks.
  5. 40’ long tunnel leading to a downstairs garage carefully fit into the original landscape of the lot (to minimize grading).
  6. In wall sound system with no visible speakers.
  7. Central tower made of a ¼” Corten steel water tank with treads welded directly to the tank to allow minimal visible support
  8. Custom made LED lights in tower staircase as a nod to the intense night skies in Julian.
  9. Openable Tower skylight for star gazing and ventilation (see green features below)
  10. Concrete tilt-up tower roof and front door frames.
Green Features
  1. Thin film photovoltaic solar array to conform to the curved surface of the roof.
  2. Helical Wind generator creating power out of wind from any point of the compass.
  3. Heating: Careful Azimuth calculations. Thermal mass. Solar Thermal Hot water used for floor heat and hot water.
  4. Cooling: Earth tubes run 10’ underground and 200’ out to a nearby canyon for passive cooling. The use of well water to cool the under floor circulation system; a 6’ x 6’ openable skylight in the tower to suck air out of the house passively.
  5. Automation: Floor heat/cool systems, door locks, window blinds, sound systems, and security are all controlled via smart-phone.
  6. Pervious pavement driveway and concrete roofs designed to capture, filter and collect rainwater. The rainwater is used for flushing toilets and for irrigation
  7. Phase change insulation material in interior partitions.
  8. Grey water system
  9. Double paned, Low-E glass and glazing designed for maximum solar gain in winter on the south side, but minimum heat/cold transfer on the north.
  10. Native landscaping. Picnic tables and benches cut out of former casting slabs and shaped and assembled on site.
  11. Whole House Tesla battery in place of a generator for perpetual, solar-powered, off grid power.