WARD + BLAKE
ARCHITECTS
N
o matter the type, when Ward + Blake Architects take
sustainability
on
goals
a
project,
inspire
great
innovation - every time. A
Wilson,
Wyoming,
home
presented an excellent opportunity to respect the local ecosystem and immediate site on which the structure sits. By taking into account the resources at hand and environmental preservation, Ward + Blake was
CREATING SUSTAINABLE AND SPECTACULAR STRUCTURES
recognized with an AIA Wyoming Award of Citation, a Gold Award under the Dream Home Awards for Best Custom Home (7,000 – 8,000 square feet), and an International
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Design Awards – Second Prize for New Residential Building. These achievements were accomplished on a site with three structures - a house (3988 sq. ft.), a barn (3346 sq. ft.), and a quest house (650 sq. ft.). “I’m a big fan of expressing the structure and letting all of the materials be what they are – finished in as natural a state as possible,” says Mitch Blake. “It connects the architecture to the environment in a simple and honest way.” As expected, Ward + Blake took a holistic eco-friendly approach from the start with purposeful site selection and orientation. The home sits in a low lying lot that is a natural clearing near a huge grove of trees with surrounding jurisdictional wetlands
quasi-wetland habitat.
architecture. Little did Tom and Mitch
Tom, Mitch, and their client knew
realize several decades ago that the
it was best to leave every single
very principles they always lived by in
aspen tree ensconcing the property
the design process would become a
carbon imprint around the property
untouched.
worldwide goal. Despite completing
are stone and reclaimed wood.
been a hallmark of Ward + Blake
“2030
Natural, regionally sourced, materials
architectural
continue their own grassroots efforts
minimize construction impact while
structure effectively melds into part
complimenting
of the land it’s built upon. Great
and natural water courses. Materials
emphasizing
the
a
low
surrounding
landscape as well. "The structure always responds to the stimuli in the land," Tom Ward said.
Conservation designs
where
has the
Challenge”
courses,
they
supporting sustainability. Based
on
new
construction,
architects know that the best way
renovation, and demolition trends
to promote a healthy planet is to let
over the next few decades, up to three
nature be nature.
quarters of the built environment will
Three of the ponds wrapping around
The back deck overlooks a pond
be new or renovated. Depending on
the home are spring-fed by a pond at
with Douglas fir logs carved into
the study, early design decisions such
the front of the property. Sluiceways
chairs which are facing a fire pit that
as location, orientation, massing,
are setup in such a way as to utilize
includes a decorative metal wind
form, and fenestration, make up to
gravity to move water around the side
screen.
90% of the impact of a building. In
of the home which naturally creates a
Sustainability's Early Arrival
addition Ward + Blake Architects
serene soundscape. Large windows
at Ward + Blake
ensure the shells of structures they
provide spectacular views of not
It takes intuitive initiative, strict
design are as efficient as possible.
only the mountains but also wildlife
planning, and disciplined execution
Special exterior walls, cladding and
that frequents the ponds which are a
to achieve success with sustainable
even energy recovery ventilators are ArchitectBlueprint.com™ | 3
If to build is to live, then to design a building well is to live beautifully.
TOM WARD Principal Ward + Blake Architects
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utilized to assist proper “breathing” and ventilation.
Following
the
“ZERO
Code”,
tech features produce synergistic
Ward + Blake utilize as many on-
advantages.
site renewable energy principles
specifications and budgets heavily
and materials resulting in cost-
influence numerous planning and
“It’s empowering to be invested
effective
construction factors.
in your client’s success which is
significantly reduce greenhouse gas
Tom stated that low-tech “’Window
made possible in part by intelligent
(GHG) emissions related to the built
boxes are on all sides of the Teton
architecture” says Mitch. Zero net
environment.
County School District administrative
At Ward + Blake, beauty and energy
efficiency
work
together.
energy
efficiencies
that
carbon (ZNC) is the goal of the 2030
Smart Design: On a Budget
Challenge (issued by “Architecture
Many times, low-tech solutions
2030” in 2006) and Ward + Blake
offer
Architects have had a long head
results.
start.
tremendous
building
Of
allowing
course,
for
project
abundant
natural light to flood the offices while
cost-benefit
significantly minimizing glare from the
also
exist
sky above and snow below.” Eight-
where leveraging both low and high-
foot roof overhangs and transom
Opportunities
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windows were used to effectively direct daylight into the building. All of these simple low-tech features reduce artificial light usage and in turn save energy. The energy efficiency of this $1.1 million, 8,600 square foot facility in Jackson, Wyoming, is also due to high-tech features such as an intelligent building control system. Leveraging
environmentally
responsive design techniques and a low-maintenance material palette further contribute to the architectural success of this structure. An airy working environment came about from birch and complementing light wood finishes covering the interior.
Heating,
cooling,
and
maintenance costs are all reduced thanks to galvanized metal cladding the exterior. Altogether, both low and hightech
design
virtually
guaranteed
environmental stability by reducing energy loads while maintaining an enjoyable work atmosphere. The building
also
sensors
and
features an
dimming
energy-efficient
natural gas furnace all for two-thirds of the county’s typical cost-persquare-foot. Rammed Earth Stabilized by EarthWall “Be
provocative
in
thought,
flexible in nature, and disciplined in execution” is the vision Ward + Blake has successfully lived by. Since 1996 they have integrated their architecture to the surroundings while being ArchitectBlueprint.com™ | 7
sensitive to the environment. Not only are Ward + Blake’s architectural creations
artfully
crafted,
they’re
technologically sound. Having designed the first EarthWall
blends with site
ecological
- Easy to build - no technically
principles
is
found
throughout Ward + Blake projects
skilled labor required
– their love of nature and intimate
- Favorable acoustic properties
connection with the land shows. Tom
EarthWall enables both residential
and Mitch love their “Dirty Modernists”
residence as his home, Tom Ward is
and
also EarthWall’s inventor. This system,
constructed
earth
them by peers. It directly relates to
utilizing reinforced steel rods with
technique to be seismically stable
their contemporary design solutions
post tensioning, takes the rammed
and, best of all, is available to
rooted in the use of indigenous
earth
architects around the world.
materials and building techniques
construction
method
one
step further – making it earthquakeresistant.
EarthWall
is
commercial with
buildings
rammed
In Teton County, Ward + Blake
nickname
affectionately
given
to
such as rammed earth.
patented
applied rammed earth technique in
Living Beautifully With Nature
due to its stabilizing effect on the
between phase one and two of the
As impressive as a 14,342 sq. ft.
eco-friendly rammed earth building
construction project. This LEED Gold
main house and 6,350 sq. ft. guest
technique.
Learning Center (Jackson, Wyoming)
house is, that is not the most amazing
Notable EarthWall advantages:
benefits from not only the tactile and
feature of the Green Knoll Residence
- Environmentally friendly
visual uniqueness of rammed earth
in Wilson, Wyoming.
- Efficient to heat and cool
but also its energy, strength and
- Uses natural and indigenous
longevity advantages.
materials - Materials natural coloration 8 | ArchitectBlueprint.com™
This
harmonizing
environment
and
Taking cedar, stone, zinc, sod, and steel, Ward + Blake designed
with
dedication
the
a winning combination as proven by
to
being the recipient of the Custom
It connects the architecture to the environment in a simple and honest way.
MITCH BLAKE Principal Ward + Blake Architects
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Home
Awards:
for
sod rooflines. Curving datum walls
terrain, both near and far, Ward +
International
link both the main and guest homes
Blake dug into the hillsides and
Design Awards – Second Prize
in a yin-yang relationship as nearly
provided for sod covered (native
for
interlocking crescent shapes.
grasses
Custom
Detail
New
Merit and
Award
Residential
Building.
Complementary materials such as
of
local
prairies)
roofs
Varying between 4,500 to 9,000 sq.
as well as created roof pitches to
Wenge,
ft. are the Amangani Villas (Jackson,
match the sites slope and mountain
Brazilian rosewood, gold leaf, and
Wyoming). The 22 private lots were
wedges on the horizon. Vertical
walnut, are found throughout the
custom built which presented a
boarded exteriors also mimicked the
property.
challenging 3-D jigsaw puzzle of
surrounding peaks.
limestone,
West
African
More than 75% of the 35 acre
space
While most treat roofs as an
land was donated by the owner to
parameters and view angles of the
afterthought, Tom and Mitch work to
a scenic easement trust. Less than
Snake River and Teton Range. As
make this once forgotten square feet
three acres of the site were used for
you’d expect, Ward + Blake delivered
functional space. Sod (green roofs)
the building envelope wherein Ward
– again.
cuts down on energy consumption,
+ Blake made great use of low-slung 10 | ArchitectBlueprint.com™
building
Working
covenants,
with
the
open
surrounding
provides
great
aesthetics,
and
reduces the impact of direct sunlight.
structure design. Their open office
informed client decisions ensure
Of course, a plethora of natural
concept breeds collaboration and
project fruition – every time.
materials such as redwood, stone,
creativity. There are no proverbial
and log are major elements of the
“easy
properties along with integral color
commitment to client projects is job
techniques
concrete and floor to ceiling glaze.
number one.
principles of sustainability to preserve
All together, these villas represent sustainability
at
its
finest
chairs”
in
sight
when
Needless to say, the entire Ward
Ward + Blake’s siting, design, natural materials, and construction strictly
follow
the
energy, water, and materials.
which
+ Blake staff stays on their toes by
Minimizing environmental impact
contributes to the structures low-
keeping things fresh with flowing
is key to respecting the ecosystem.
maintenance and long life.
energy. Clients love their fluid design
The Ward + Blake portfolio of projects
process including multiple project
continuously display a representation
ideas
of true sustainable architecture.
Continuous Flow of Creativity From residential to commercial, to
that
consider
resources,
resort, to institutional, to hospitality,
topography, orientation, bio-climatic
Ward + Blake loves the beauty of
characteristics,
architecture across all genres of
of other factors. Nothing less than
and
a
multitude
Will you be the next client to enjoy the satisfaction of a well done project with Ward + Blake?
What's Your Architectural Dream? Convert your thoughts and dreams into reality by taking that first step.
Ward+Blake Architects 200 E. Broadway PO Box 10399 Jackson, Wyoming 83002 p: 307.733.6867 info@wardblakearchitects.com www.wardblakearchitects.com
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