Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Fall 2017 - 12

"By raising the native meadow to a living roof, Hedgegate
softens the foreground and preserves the public view of
the California Coastal National Monument."
- Janet MacKinnon,
AE Design, Owner/Architect/Construction Manager
All photos courtesy of Jonnu Singleton

A BIOPHILIC RESIDENCE ALONG THE PACIFIC

edgegate is located on the west side of California Highway 1 on the scenic, north
Sonoma coast. From the highway, the view to the Pacific Ocean and the California
Coastal National Monument is protected by legislation to preserve this natural wonder
for public appreciation. The protective legislation placed significant controls on the design
of Hedgegate. The structure was limited to 1,300 square feet and the height limited to 16
feet above above the coastal meadow. The limited conditioned space interdigitates with
protected outdoor spaces and the ready access to the exterior on both the ground floor and
upper (main) level encourage outdoor living.
Bill Browning's work on the 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design provides a vocabulary to
discuss the design architects intuitive integration of "spatial configurations in Nature commingled with patterns of Nature in the Space and Natural Analogues."
The Hedgegate design provides abundant visual connection with Nature as well as nonvisual connections: the sound of surf, the bark of seals, the caw of crows and seagulls, the call
of California quail and the smell of grasses and salt air. The sounds of flowing water from the
rain room provide the analogue to a native stream. The unimpeded view of the Pacific Ocean
and shoreline whitewater yield a prospect both stimulating and inviting. In contrast, the back
corner of the rain room, its green walls and flowing water create refuge from the circulation of the household and natural elements. The view from this back corner expands to a
panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean providing the mystery and anticipation of more beyond
the refuge. Entering and exiting Hedgegate stimulate the senses with variable airflow and
temperatures. The numerous angles, skylights and open roofs provide changing conditions
of light and shadow. The native plants lifted to the roofs reflect the local coastal meadow. As
one climbs the stairs into Hedgegate, more of the living roof becomes visible, then the green
wall appears, and finally when the top of the stairs, the view opens and one looks down, from
the safety of solid footing, 15 feet into lush vegetation and flowing water of the rain room. A
slight turn of the head to the left, and the first glimpse of the oceanic views draws one further
into the living space with the promise of more.
Built during a severe five year drought, it was important to maximize use of all available
water. The rainwater/stormwater from the roof, retaining wall, rain room, and driveway,
is collected for irrigation of the living roof and graywater is collected for irrigation of the
ground landscaping. The judges praised this project for its integration both into the site's
ecology, as well as the region's broader cultural goals.

LIVING ARCHITECTURE MONITOR / FALL 2017 / 12

DESIGN AWARD CATEGORY
Small Scale Residential
PROJECT
Hedgegate
LOCATION
The Sea Ranch, California
AWARD WINNER
AE Design
TEAM MEMBERS
Architectural Photographer
Jonnu Singleton
Growing Media Supplier
Joe DiNorscia, Rooflite -
Redi-Gro Corporation
Owner/Architect/Construction Manager
Janet MacKinnon, AE Design
Rainwater/Graywater Systems
and Green Roof & Irrigation
Kevin Heston, AE Design
Stormwater, Graywater,
and Living Roof Design
Paul Kephart, Rana Creek Design
Structural Engineer
Ivan Lee Welte,
I.L. Welte & Associates

LIVINGARCHITECTUREMONITOR.COM

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Fall 2017