Taking advantage of its beautiful site, the Caterpillar House by Feldman Architecture is the first LEED Platinum Custom Home in California’s Central Coast
Designed by Feldman Architecture, the Caterpillar House is sited on the softly rolling hills of the Santa Lucia Preserve near Carmel, California. The design of contemporary ranch home sought to accentuate a connection to the beautiful land that surrounds it.
"Having lived in a Cliff May home, the client came to the project with a love of modern ranch houses and looking for an environmentally-conscious response to a beautiful site," explained Jonathan Feldman.
A contemporary ranch home with sustainable elements
The Caterpillar House implements sustainable elements while exploring a contemporary version of the ranch ideals: massing that is low and horizontal, an open plan with a strong connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, and main living areas that center informally on the kitchen.
Connecting the contemporary ranch house, both literally and figuratively to the site, excavated earth was repurposed for the construction of the walls. These rammed earth walls gently curve in response to the site’s contours and also act as a thermal mass, regulating temperatures from day to night.
The Feldman Architecture studio boasts an impressive suite of sustainable homes in their portfolio. In a similar manner to their eco-friendly Butterfly House, three tanks close to the contemporary ranch house proudly store rainwater and provide all of the property’s irrigation needs.
Large south-facing glass doors open the main living area to a large covered contemporary porch and to an outdoor patio with sunshades that expand and contract to allow for a flexible entertaining area that responds to the client’s needs.
"The glazing, natural ventilation and operable shading also act as a passive heating and cooling system. Integrated photovoltaic panels enable the house to produce all of its own energy requirements without compromising the graceful curve of the low roof against the hill," explained the architect.
By taking advantage of its beautiful site, implementing sustainable features, the Caterpillar House by Feldman Architecture is the first LEED Platinum Custom Home in California’s Central Coast.
Photography by: Joe Fletcher
