Warburton House
This house is located at the high point or a gently rising large foothill, the last ridge before the Continental Divide. It is at the center of a 70 acre tract of land and is accessible by 1/4 mile road off of main mountain road. The owners needed a three bedroom house. The third windiest spot in the world is located at the adjacent divide mountain range and the building had to resist this wind, as well as take advantage of the views. It had to cost less than $25,000.00
The wind problem suggested that a curved structural shell-like shape be used with a painted on roof and no normalIy conceived overhangs to make it wind resistant. It was lowered into the ground slightly to reduce exposure. The most direct way and simple way to get this form was to cast it in concrete, using singly and doubly curved surfaces. Repetitive pods provided economy with windowed end focusing on open or cleared views. Center fireplace with encircling staircase provided casual atmosphere, and tower turrett raised one to a height above trees such that they could get the 360 degree view unobstructed of plains and snow-capped mountains. Spikes serve as lighting rods, another high mountain problem.
Structure:
2 1/2" concrete shell,
gunite on metal lath
forms that relied on
arched shape of reinforcing rods
for support.
Structure only took three weeks to form which was very helpful
in alpine like area (9,000 ft. elevation)
which has a very short building season. It
only took two relatively inexperienced men to
do this work.
Roof:
neoprene-hypalon coatings,
blown-on asbestos type insulation inside of shell
Dome:
1/8" clear plexiglass
During construction of the Warburton house CAH filmed many interesting sequences. A video copy of a film, by Joel Haertling, incorporating this footage is available in VHS format. The tape also includes documentation of other CAH designs. A book of Charles A. Haertling's designs is also available.
Contact Joel Haertling to order the video or book.
