Northern walls have high narrow windows to diffuse daylight to interior spaces. High and low windows provide natural ventilation. The living areas open to buffalo grass, live oaks, and terraces of indigenous plants. A rugged coursed stone and paint-grip galvanized metal roof contrast with the sharply carved interior of honed concrete floors, [...]

bridges the ravine from east to west. A stair leads from the driveway up to the entry court. In section, the house flip-flops: the living areas in the upper level have continuous glass walls that look north to the open landscape. From above and below, two contrasting experiences of the site are framed, one broad and expansive, the other defined and closed. Within the upper level are two open courts, one for the entry, the other connecting the main house to the pool, which projects down the hill and guest house. Paths lead from these courts, the only level outdoor areas on the hilly site, into the landscape. Walls and roof are clad in Cor_ten steel plate viewed from above, the rusty bar spans the golden grass slopes.

The project looked for a strong relation with the exterior landscape without repeating the urban model of a house with small openings. This is why the ground floor’s sector that faces the lake opens almost completely to the exterior, with large floor to ceiling windows. These large glazed panels that let the light in also allow to get in direct contact with the garden’s grass, the water in the pool and the lake.

Green architecture for Zumikom residence become best architecture and as eco-friendly residential.The 27,000 square foot site overlooks the town of Zumikon and Lake Zurich. Views of hillside pastures to the east and north are complimented by vistas of the lake and the Alps to the south. Zoning laws limited the building area to 10,225 square [...]