Le Shed
Zero Net Energy, ADU, All Electric
TYPE: New Construction (to be converted into an ADU)
SIZE: 636 SF
LOCATION: Grass Valley, Northern California
DATE: 2024
DESIGN: Mela Breen & Jeff Adams (ADB alumnus) | Atmosphere Design Build
CONTRACTOR: Atmosphere Design Build
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: William Prechter, PE
MECHANICAL: Balance Point Home Performance
Photography by Kat Alves
“Le Shed” is a petite retreat that overlooks a small community reservoir in the oak woodlands of western Nevada County. The house is designed as a piece of the master plan for the property, that will eventually include a larger primary residence and the conversion of Le Shed into an ADU. Oriented to maximize views of the water while maintaining privacy from the adjacent neighbors, the house has a recognizable agrarian form of a tall gabled roof barn with the geometric whimsy of De Stijl-inspired Dutch modernism (for our client that hails from the Netherlands).
Materials are used with intentional asymmetrical balance and geometric patterning inside and out. On the interior, each wall has a unique graphic identity creating a rich landscape of color and pattern composed of custom-built cabinetry.
A compact floor plan of 636 square feet includes a mechanical room that is the hub for the property, a main living space with double height ceilings, that includes the kitchen, eating area, and coxy living space. A generous bedroom loft has an office nook and closet are upstairs and a bathroom with exterior access for functional rural living is on the first floor. A large lift and slide door opens to a covered porch that faces the water and allows seamless indoor/outdoor living.
The simple single volume of the building has a staccato of openings that punctuate the cladding. Corrugated metal, thermally modified wood, and Trespa façade panels offer a mixed palette of texture, color, material, and patterning that were meticulously puzzled together.
High Performance Highlights
Assembly
The unvented roof is insulated a combination of closed cell spray foam and sprayed in recycled fiberglass for an R-value of 49. An insulated concrete slab, attentive air sealing (the most effective strategy in this warm dry climate) and thermally broken aluminum windows from Europe contribute to the overall comfort and efficiency.
Climate Control
Indoor climate control is provided by two small Fujitsu ductless mini splits. A heat pump water heat supplies the domestic hot water.
Energy
A 4.86 kW roof mounted PV system roof-mounted photovoltaic system, paired with a FranklinWH 13.6kWh storage battery, offsets the home’s energy usage (including the charging of an electric car) and provides backup resilience for the all electric house– creating a zero net energy building.
