Binary House

Winter 2015

The New California Steel House is a duality of the Modernist era steel house, in particular Eames' Case Study 8, and a contemporary use of steel construction. Structurally, there are three moment frames running in one direction with cross bracing in the other. The lower floor is an all glass elevated slab which is suspended from these moment frames by tension wire. The upper floor is the inverse. It is more introverted with a plan divergent from the perimeter and a perforated aluminum screen providing a contrasting view outside. The suspension of the lower floor is "showcased" by tension rods penetrating the exterior walls, inverting the glazing along with them, and creating glass tubes crossing back and forth the otherwise pure glass box.