Traditionally, the utilitarian function of a ‘hearth’ was to provide sustenance for its inhabitants. Using the ‘hearth’ as a vehicle for incorporating modern sustainable techniques, such as passive and active solar heating and cooling, water distribution and collection, the brick ‘core’ in this home not only transforms nature’s elements into usable energy, but also protects against its harsher moments. The elongated service core separates the home into distinct sections allowing both an earth sheltering system to occur on the south-facing side and subterranean storm shelter to occur below the core. Through elevation change the inhabitant is at once engaged with effects of the environment and the never-ending horizon of the Kansas plain. Traditional elements of the ‘house’, such as the hearth, hipped roof, wood siding and the front porch, combined with modern sustainable systems suggests a new vernacular architecture for Greensburg.

• About This View
• About This View
• About This View
• About This View

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• The Living HEARTH- Conceptual development
• The Living HEARTH- Interior views and drawings

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