3. Crisis of Identity
The contemporary American house is experiencing a deep-
ening crisis of identity in this era of growing environmen-
talism. This identity crisis began nearly fifty years ago with
the end of the Case Study House program and the rapid ac-
celeration of suburbanization. The discipline of architecture
never regained its footing in the context of American hous-
ing as housing became a product, subject to the efficien-
cies and economics of mass manufacture. The impact of
suburban sprawl on energy, water and transportation infra-
structure was largely overlooked until its geographic con-
sequences were firmly entrenched. The widespread growth
of environmentalism has done little to assert a new identity
for the American house. Whether produced individually
or en masse, the American house remains a mixture of old
forms, updated equipment and engineered building prod-
ucts that mimic long abandoned methods of construction
and long discarded lifestyles. This critique applies as much
to the tract home as to the dwell modern, mid-century re-
mix. Neither solution comprehensively addresses changing
societal values or contributes significantly to contemporary
design culture. An appreciable shift is underway as a new
audience of environmentally concerned citizens gathers.
While thus far this audience has embraced environmentally
friendly product upgrades and supplemental equipment,
this approach is insufficient as its impact on sustainable de-
velopment is minor and its rate of change too slow. We be-
lieve growing environmentalism should be met with design
ingenuity not product specification. A lasting contribution
to sustainable development or the discipline is impossible
when underperforming architectural and urban organiza-
tions are simply reproduced using green branded products.
Our proposal, the Succulent House, addresses the pressing
global issue of freshwater quality and supply as but one
possible force to drive design ingenuity and improve envi-
ronmental performance. Ultimately, this approach allows us
to speculate on the organizational, spatial and atmospheric
potential of water collection on the American house.
The Succulent House is sited on a prototypical urban parcel
of 50 feet by 110 feet in anticipation of continuing trends
Aerial View of Roofscape toward inner beltway reurbanization. Organizationally, the
roof area of the house is divided in two and its area maxi-
mized for water collection, storage and distribution. The in-
verted roof planes direct rainwater to storage cores around
which program is distributed. In the front of the house, stor-
age bladders cascade from the modulated ceiling above to
line the more public living spaces. In the rear, the kitchen
and master suite surround a bladder wrapped winter gar-
den. Our proposal argues that performance is not mea-
sured by quantitative methods alone. In fact, we draw on
rainwater harvesting in large part because of its impact
on the spaces we propose. Roofscape collection is experi-
enced from the interior as the space rises and falls to meet
the ceiling. The collected water is stored in bladders that
respond to changes in seasonal rainfall. Like its namesake
plant, the bladders exhibit succulence in times of increased
water supply. In times of low supply, the bladders are loose
and drapery like. As the bladders fill, the reflective surfaces
capture views of adjacent conditions in unexpected ways
optically collapsing adjacent spaces into one another. The
Succulent House alters the form and atmosphere of the
house by integrating rainwater cycles into the rhythms of
everyday domestic life.
TRANSVERSE SECTION 1/8” = 1’-0”
4. Roof Topology
Roof Topology
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater Harvesting
Succulent House
Succulent House Typical House
Typical House
Interior
Interior Potable InIn
Potable Daily Annually
Daily Annually Interior
Interior Potable InIn
Potable Daily Annually
Daily Annually
Faucets
Faucets 43.2
43.2 Faucets
Faucets 43.6
43.6
Showers
Showers 35.2
35.2 Showers
Showers 46.4
46.4
Clothes Washers
Clothes Washers 40
40 Clothes Washers
Clothes Washers 60
60
Baths
Baths 4.8
4.8 Baths
Baths 4.8
4.8
Dishwashers
Dishwashers 2.8
2.8 Dishwashers
Dishwashers 44
Other
Other 6.4
6.4 Other
Other 6.4
6.4
132.4gal 48,326gal
132.4gal 48,326gal 165.2gal 60,298gal
165.2gal 60,298gal
Grey Out
Grey Out To Municipality
To Municipality Storage Bladders
Storage Bladders
Recycled Grey InIn
Recycled Grey Potable InIn
Potable
Toilets
Toilets 32.8
32.8 Toilets
Toilets 74
74
32.8gal 11,972gal
32.8gal 11,972gal 74gal 27,010gal
74gal 27,010gal
To Municipality
To Municipality To Municipality
To Municipality
Exterior
Exterior Recycled Grey/ Excess Rain InIn
Recycled Grey/ Excess Rain Exterior
Exterior Potable InIn
Potable
Irrigation
Irrigation 86
86 Irrigation
Irrigation 86
86
86gal 31,390gal
86gal 31,390gal 86gal 31,390gal
86gal 31,390gal
% % to Groundwater
to Groundwater Runoff To Municipality, % % to Groundwater
Runoff To Municipality, to Groundwater
Annual Gross Usage
Annual Gross Usage Municipal 0gal*
Municipal 0gal* Annual Gross Usage
Annual Gross Usage Municipal 118,698gal
Municipal 118,698gal
*In*In most climates, 100% of annual usage can be satisfied through Rainwater Harvesting
most climates, 100% of annual usage can be satisfied through Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater 48,326gal
Rainwater 48,326gal Source: Handbook of of Water Use and Conservation, Amy Vickers
Source: Handbook Water Use and Conservation, Amy Vickers
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater Harvesting Municipal Supply
Municipal Supply Unused Rainwater
Unused Rainwater Municipal Supply
Municipal Supply Site Drainage/Irrigation
Site Drainage/Irrigation
Greywater Recycling
Greywater Recycling
Filtration + Treatment
Filtration + Treatment Shortages
Shortages Contaminated by
Contaminated by
Impervious Surfaces
Impervious Surfaces
Potable Uses
Potable Uses Increased Peak
Increased Peak
Discharge
Discharge
Causes Flooding
Causes Flooding
Surplus
Surplus Greywater Recovery + Treatment
Greywater Recovery + Treatment
Total Demand
Total Demand
Potable
Potable
Local Rivers and Streams
Local Rivers and Streams
Irrigation
Irrigation Toilets
Toilets
Greywater + +
Greywater
Optional Blackwater
Optional Blackwater Blackwater
Blackwater
Phytoremediation
Phytoremediation toto Municipality
Municipality
Additional Loads on Municipal
Additional Loads on Municipal
Blackwater
Blackwater Treatment Capacity
Treatment Capacity
toto Municipality
Municipality
Groundwater Recharge
Groundwater Recharge Site Planting
Site Planting
dry
dry wet
wet
Water Use: A four-person household in the United States and streams. This has been shown to seriously degrade Groundwater Depletion: Nearly 50 percent of the total Water Management: The collection, distribution, and
consumes nearly 140,000 gallons of water per year on av- water quality and also increases the risk of flooding. In population of the United States depends on groundwater treatment of drinking water and wastewater nationwide
erage. Efficient fixtures and water recycling systems can conventional homes, excess water from roofs and paved for part of their water supply. In many municipalities, the releases as much global warming pollution each year as 10
reduce use to just less than 50,000 gallons per year. surfaces sheds into municipal storm water systems. Using rate at which water is drawn from the aquifer has begun million cars. In most climates, The Succulent House can
topographic operations, The Succulent House collects to exceed the rate of replenishment. The Succulent House reduce the demand on municipal water systems by over
Water Quality: In urban areas, excess runoff due to im- precipitation for use in and around the home, reducing redirects water surpluses to ‘dry wells’ which filter water 85%. By harvesting rainwater and directing runoff onto
pervious surfaces flows, often untreated, into local rivers downstream pollution in rivers, lakes and coastal waters. back into local aquifers. landscaping, flooding and erosion are reduced.
5. City Rainfall Statistics
Bladder and catchment areas are sized according to
annual totals and seasonal variations. Climates with
significant variations, such as Los Angeles, require larger
capicities to maintain the water supply in drier months.
For each city, monthly and annual values are included.
The surpluses and shortages noted below are for the
maximum roof catchment area (2800sf). Surpluses are
directed to dry wells and allowed to filter back into local
aquifers. Shortages are supplemented by the municipal
supply. In most US cities, rainwater harvesting can meet
the total water demand of the home.
Atlanta Annual: 50.19”
+26,094 gal
Atlanta Annual: 50.19” Chicago Annual: 36.27”
+26,094 gal +5,454 gal
Entry
Atlanta Annual: 50.19” Chicago Annual: 36.27” Los Angeles Annual: 15.14”
+26,094 gal +5,454 gal -25,876 gal
Systems Comparison
Atlanta are retrofitted or designed with do little to shift theChicago or aesthetic ambitions of the architec-
Many homes Annual: 50.19” systems and equipment to meet environmental performance
and long term impact goals. These additions
supplemental
organizational
Annual: 36.27” Los Angeles Annual: 15.14” Miami Annual: 58.53”
ture. The Succulent House integrates these systems into the form and organization of the project to assess their effects
+26,094 gal +5,454 gal -25,876 gal +38,454 gal
on architectural experience.
Monthly Rainfall, Source: NOAA NCDC Average
6. Aerial View
Aerial View
SITE PLAN 1/16” = 1’-0”
T.O. Roof T.O. Roof
24’-0" 24’-0"
Roof
18’-8"
Roof Roof
13’-0"
13’-0"
Header
9’-4"
Finish Grade Finish Grade
0’-0" 0’-0"
FRONT ELEVATION 1/16” = 1’-0” SIDE ELEVATION 1/16” = 1’-0”
7. OPEN TO BELOW
4
6
3
2 7
OPEN TO BELOW
1
6
5
1. Living 1. Living
2. Media 2. Media
3. Kitchen 3. Kitchen
4. Master Suite 4. Master Suite
5. Garage 5. Garage
6. Bedroom 6. Bedroom
7. Den 7. Den
FIRST FLOOR PLAN 3/32” = 1’-0” SECOND FLOOR PLAN 3/32” = 1’-0”
