Evolutionary Houses: "The Insect House"

This house is known as a "Reyes House", a remodel & addition whose owners are Remy and Vince Reyes. It's location is in Oakland, California.

Project Managers: Mr. Scott Looney and Ms. Tze Yan Szeto
Contractor: Mr. James Corrie, Man Made Construction and Tsui Design & Research Inc.
Date: 1991 to 1993 (Design and Construction)
Cost: $44,000.00
Square Footage: Approximetly 700 square feet

Construction Materials: Douglas Fir, plywood, acrylic panels, marine fiberglass, galvanized metal pipe, steel cable, "Structolite" plaster, concrete and schedule 40 steel pipe.

Special Features: Spiral viewing window, frameless acrylic openable windows, earthquake resistent tension cable shelves and tables, hand-sculpted structural plaster, radiant recycled water floor heating, hinged "dragonfly" roof ventilation "wings" operated by hand ratchet cranks, earthquake resistent truncated cone structural design, "Polygal" thermal/transluscent skylights, outdoor tension cable bracing system.

Owner Requirements: Convert the ground floor to accommodate a single bedroom, a bathroom, office/study, photo gallery, storage areas and an exterior solarium recreation room. Include a stairway up to the second level (main entrance level).

Ecological Requirements: None

General background of the Project: Vince and Remy Reyes live in a house in Oakland, California with their three children and grandfather. They needed more room in their home and wished to remodel an existing ground floor/basement as well as build an exterior recreation room to their house. The Reyes' wanted something innovative with the feeling of softness and continuity. The overall design was developed jointly between architect and owners with both parties sketching out their ideas and the architect bringing the ideas together in a cohesive whole. Working drawings and the issuance of a permit to build went smoothly. The building department personnel were excited about the project. In fact, when the building inspector arrived to issue the certificate of completion, he brought his camera to take photographs. Similarly, the neighbors seem very supportive of the project during its construction and enthusiastic individuals freely volunteered their time to see the project to completion.