LOCATION

Mammoth Lakes, CA

OUR ROLE

Drawing on Britton Architecture’s experience designing with Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF), the client engaged my firm to design the residences using a similar proprietary insulated building block system.

Working with a non-traditional structural system requires thoughtful coordination and detailing. This highly energy-efficient and structurally robust system provided both performance advantages and unique design considerations. Through close collaboration with the client/ contractor, we developed clear architectural forms and detailing strategies that supported both constructability and long-term durability.

Special attention was given to orientation, snow management, and energy performance — key factors in mountain architecture.

CHALLENGES + SOLUTIONS

The client/contractor was interested in utilizing this non-traditional yet highly energy efficient and strong building system. Working with unfamiliar building systems can provide an enjoyable challenge in how to design and detail with new methods. Working together we created simple forms that work well in this mountain environment.

The use of a proprietary insulated building system was integrated into the project through close coordination between the design team and contractor. Rather than allowing the construction method to overcomplicate the architecture, the homes were shaped by clear, simple forms that align well with both the building system and the mountain environment.

The design supports a thermally efficient building envelope, structural performance appropriate for heavy snow conditions and efficient use of a compact infill lot.

The result is a pair of modest-scale residences that demonstrate how alternative building systems can be thoughtfully applied within the environmental and regulatory framework of Mammoth Lakes.