In 2010 , Jeannette jumped at the opportunity to think outside the box once again to create this one-of-a-kind home in Mammoth Lakes . The architect ’ s client ( and friend ), who requested his help , had expressed their vision for the home to be “ something that hasn ’ t been done before ”: to contemporize the feeling of a mountain home . In creative collaboration with his resident friend , Principle Architect Amy J . Creager and Sue Capelli of Passione Inc ., Jeannette was able to do just that . He also tips his hat to local general contractor , Al Preschutti , who “ executed extraordinary feats of construction ,” says Jeannette .
POWERED BY LIGHT Jeannette ’ s innovative design shines through with his use of 45 roof-mounted solar panels . With a dual-energy function , these panels use the sun to power the home and heat the resident ’ s domestic hot water , eliminating virtually all utility costs . However , implementing these energy-efficient features was no easy feat . This 11,000 square-foot home demanded many accommodations for the extreme weather conditions that befall Mammoth Lakes , from “ snowfall that engulfs the house ” to blazing hot summers .
This is where the home ’ s geothermal heating and cooling system comes in . This state-of-the-art structure incorporates the use of 35 steel tubes drilled 230 feet into the earth . Though , it wouldn ’ t be “ Brion Jeannette Architecture ” if it wasn ’ t clever or efficient . That ’ s why Jeannette created the system with a multi-purpose energy function in mind : “ to provide radiant heating during the winter and cooling during the summer .”
Jeannette explains that the same geothermal system actually protects its pedestrians above . “ It ’ s built into the driveways … so that the ice melts , making it safer to walk and drive ,” he adds . The thermal heating extends to each of the two garages ; a two-car garage up top and a four-car garage below . As per Jeannette ’ s M . O ., both garages are rigged with four electric vehicle chargers as an additional environmental incentive .
Above the ground , the home ’ s stunning design features are doing their part to repurpose and conserve energy . The wide windows capture the morning sun on the main level , which provides even more natural heating to this seven-bedroom home . Fortunately , overheating is never a problem thanks to the “ thermal chimneys ”; small openings at the top of each window that allow the air to escape . This is what Jeannette calls another “ technical reasoning ” behind creating the windows so high .
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