description
The Dominican Sisters House of Formation represents the vision of the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael for their future members. This communal-living facility is designed around the principles of green and sustainable building, achieving a Gold LEED™ rating. The building is designed to accommodate active communal engagement, and includes a chapel for worship for the house residents and the greater campus. A meditative garden at the center of the cluster of buildings incorporates a dry creek bed that will collect and retain roof stormwater. All plantings are drought-tolerant or native species, with drip irrigation in the meditative garden and un-irrigated native grasses in the surrounding site.
vision
Create a sustainable communal home for novice sisters, representing the Dominican Sisters stewardship of the future.
project requirements
Incorporate green and sustainable building practices while creating a new home for the sisters including both private and communal worship spaces.
DESIGN FEATURES
- Building form and trellis frame meditative garden
- Chapel for house residents and greater campus
- House accommodates both private and communal spaces
GREEN FEATURES
- LEED™ Gold Rated
- Orientation maximizes sun exposure for rooftop solar panels
- Collection and retention of stormwater
- Photovoltaic solar panels will provide for up to 95% of electrical power needs
- Compact massing: Bedrooms and bathrooms are stacked for efficient use of materials
- Solar hot water heating system with a 90% efficient central boiler
- Recycled/reclaimed content carpet, gypsum board, insulation, cabinets, linoleum floors, paints, adhesives and sealants.
PROJECT INFORMATION
- Building size/acres: 6,200 sq.ft./.57 acre
- Units: 8 Residential Suites
- Completion: August 2005