Reno, Nevada
2016

Conceived in 2008 and finished in 2016, the Talus is a contemporary remodel of an existing, blighted single-family residence in Northern Reno. The home exhibits successful experimentations in material assemblies and programming/function.

Key principles to this indoor environment revolve around an obsession with hand-made craft, simple yet celebrated detail, and honest material expression building upon an inherent connection to the raw beauty of the mountainous region of Northern Nevada.

As this home was left unoccupied and became blighted, a considerable amount of effort went into the design and construction of the interior. The home features low VOC urethane finished plywood floors cut into 2’-0” x 10’-0” planks and a floating open-riser stair constructed of the same plywood as well as repurposed steel. Multiple sliding walls configured as large barn doors allow spaces to be closed or naturally and perceptually flow when open. The sliding walls are fabricated from repurposed steel and maple from discarded old public library shelving.

In the living and entertainment area of the home, the design accommodates a need for entertaining a very small main level footprint of 1,200 square feet by successfully blending the living and kitchen spaces for multi-purpose use. The large stainless-steel galley kitchen incorporates hand-made glass fiber reinforced white concrete countertops for a high level of sophistication and cleanliness.

The master bathroom features a large soaking tub adjacent to a window for natural lighting and a custom curb less TIG welded steel shower made from repurposed 1/4” thick cold-rolled steel plates. Drainage is directed into a custom recessed trench drain.

The home’s natural southeast exposure provided the opportunity to open the south facade for winter passive solar heating, and with the use of the dark colored floors, the home works like a large solar collector in the winter months, substantially offsetting the required mechanical heating load necessary in Northern Nevada’s climate. The sliding walls also allow for natural daylight to reach deep into the building and touch all spaces on the main and loft levels of the home.

All fabrication and construction for this home was performed by FormGrey Studio and various other members of the local Northern Nevada architectural community.

Recognition:
2018 AIA Northern Nevada Residential Citation Award