THE GEAR

HEAT | Radiant Heat System

COOLING | Stack Effect + Evaporative Cooling

INSULATION | High-Density Icynene

MATERIALS | Recycled + Local + Reduce Waste

SOLAR | Net Zero System

LANDSCAPING | Xeriscaping

LEED Certified Silver

CLIENT

Long time residents of rural Idaho, this couple wanted an upgraded luxury home built for family living which was also conducive to ranch hand and farming work while performing as an environmentally conscious home. Playfair Ranch represents a pioneering in contemporary design, as the floor plan meets the demands for a functioning ranch without compromising an open, modern layout. Tobin designed a new home to place in front of the original, smaller ranch house, which was converted into the new Guest House. The existing storage barn and farming equipment yard were key to the clients’ workflow. Designing a flow that gave direct access to these areas from the utility room, kitchen and ranch operations room were particularly important to the lifestyle of the couple. Additionally, one enters the property through a well-established Cotton Wood forest, where the architect felt strongly about using these trees as a cooling buffer between homes for summer entertaining on the courtyard. The home design serves appreciation of the landscape, from the entryway your line of sight is directed through the Living Room towards 42 acres of breathtaking Idaho farmland, framed beneath a gorgeous towering gable ceiling.

SITE

Unobstructed views from the home’s porches look over 42 acres of Timothy Hay, watering pivots and an endless horizon. The site sits at the southern end of the Wood River Valley at 5000 ft elevation. With its long-established water rights, the irrigation ditch was enlarged to create a reflective holding pond in front of the home. The pond serves as additional water storage and helps with evaporative cooling around the house as well as the adding to the outdoor living aesthetic. All considerations for this site and its operations are well balanced for a sustainable way of life.

ENVIRONMENT

Wintertime in Sun Valley sees extreme cold — tall snow drifts and wind-chills 10 below zero being a common occurrence. Long roof overhangs help with seasonal concerns: shade during the hot summer months and a large dry patio during the rainy months. The materials used in this contemporary farmhouse-style home helped it become one of Sun Valley, Idaho’s first Environmentally Conscious, passive and active solar homes. This family home was the first of its size to attain a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Rating and was built under the guidelines of a Sustainable Green Building Design.