Entry number: UB07055
Project Name: Goldwell Artists Residency
Location: Beatty, NV
Building Type: Artist’s Studios
Completion Date: October, 2008
Architect:  assemblageSTUDIO


Sustainability Description

Design Team:
Architect / Landscape Architect: assemblageSTUDIO
Structural Engineer: Mendenhall Smith

Narrative/Project Description:
"...Art in a place where it seemingly shouldn't be..." William Fox

The site for the artist residences sits between Rhyolite, a vestige of what was once the largest town in Nevada, and the edge of Death Valley. This is where Belgian artist Albert Szukalski, inspired by the relative desolation of the area, took up residence and created his unique land-based artwork "The Last Supper". With Albert's death in 2000, the land was endowed to a non-profit organization to continue his interests.

Phase 1 of this project provides working studios for artists seeking a unique creative experience. Construction of the studios (phase 1), as well as a common living area and shops (phase 2) minimizes site work and thus impact on the timeworn landscape by using insulated concrete panels cast off-site. A raised floor, suspended between the walls, allows cool night breezes to wick away heat gained during daylight hours. Structural elements and finished are left exposed to the dry Mojave air just as the relics of Rhyolite once were. This low-impact, low-tech approach, combined with technologies such as solar PV panels, solar heat collectors, shading devices, and radiant flooring provide a sustainable, off-grid workspace/dwelling relevant to this site.

Sustainability Description:
- limited waste construction repetition (prefab)
- raised floor to allow cooling breezes below
- in-floor heating & cooling
- cross ventilation
- daylighting into each space
- solor domestic & radiant water heating
- solar power generation
- minimal site impact
- no additional landscape, site is kept native