Blue Steel
“Blue Steel” is a new low-energy, live/work prototype located near Freeport, Pennsylvania that we designed for industrialist Randy Edgar and his wife Bonnie. Home/Work: The argument that multi-family homes use fewer resources than single-family homes doesn’t carry much weight in this part of the United States, where citizens are fiercely protective of their independence. Homes, like cars, are representations of success. These homes WILL be built. Our intent is to provide a carefully designed, energy-efficient, live-work option to compete with the commuter model. This saves both driving time and all the costs associated with cars.
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Newly constructed homes are displacing the local woodlands. But 95% of this lot will remain untouched. Our plans include instructions to save every tree possible and to bury more than half the buildings area below grade. No fences will separate this home from its neighbors. The neighbors support the unconventional home construction because it will preserve their walking paths and not impede their street views.
Ideas transcend style: We are reinforcing the building’s connection to nature by employing a variety of sustainable products and methods. An open and flexible interior plan results in light-filled spaces that can be used for various purposes as needed. In “bottom-up” architecture, we employ affordable, easy-to-build strategies to create extraordinary experiences.
Working from home is good for the planet. Just as important, Blue Steel concept celebrates nature by displacing attention from the house back to the woods. A building that enhances its occupants’ perception of natures beauty is one that will encourage all who visit to better respect the environment. My intern Seth named the house for its metal siding (later replaced with Nichiha panels). It is located on the same wooded site as another recently completed FISHER ARCHitecture designed home, the earth-sheltered Ewing House.
Here is a link to some more Edgar house process. As happens on every project, many of our designs end up on the cutting room floor…
