Matthew Millman
Matthew Millman
“The client really wanted an outdoor shower and that was part … “The client really wanted an outdoor shower and that was part of the program of the entire building,” says architect Jennifer Mei. “This was the most private spot on the site and it faces the mountains, so we placed a mostly open outdoor shower here. The idea of a fence extending from the rammed earth wall was something that appealed to us because it wasn’t solid but does create privacy.”
Matthew Millman
The overhand for the studio addition is deeper above the shower,… The overhand for the studio addition is deeper above the shower, partly to shade bathers, but also to protect the rammed earth, which will slowly erode over time. “The simple curved shower fixture is also really interesting,” Mei adds, “so we had the exposed plumbing come directly out of the wall. The stainless steel looks great against the rammed earth.”
Matthew Millman
The steel fence is composed of slender fins that are angled at v… The steel fence is composed of slender fins that are angled at varying degrees. The fins split into forks that graduate from short to long. Those subtle moves make the fence appear to undulate as you walk around it and also alters the levels of transparency.
Matthew Millman
The steel fins extend down and are anchored into the concrete sl… The steel fins extend down and are anchored into the concrete slab beneath the ipe deck. This adds strength and durability to the fence. The concrete was formed into a lip around the deck and painted black to create a decorative frame as well as a sort of shower pan. The deck slats are loosely spaced so the water flows through into the concrete slab where it is then directed into the home’s septic system. The ipe decking was left untreated so it will fade to a silvery-gray.
Matthew Millman
The studio addition features bonderized steel on the roof overha… The studio addition features bonderized steel on the roof overhang, so using steel for the shower fence was a logical choice because it was already part of the material palette. The fence was treated so it shouldn’t rust quickly, but will patina slowly over time.
