michelle kaufmann designs

When I was in school, one of my professors would suggest that if you are ever stuck on a design, turn your (printed out) drawing upside down. By looking at it from a new perspective, one’s mind typically would open up to new possibilities.

I am reminded of this practice with the Taylor House designed by architect Frank Harmon. This design was included in my top 10 homes list for the Wall Street Journal last year.
Yesterday I had the pleasure of seeing one of my favorite Bahamian homes in person. The home takes the typical requirement that all homeowners provide their own drinking water (there are no freshwater wells in the coral reef islands) and literally turns it upside down. Frank Harmon took the typical rain catching roof, and by flipping it, created a water funnel for the rain water to be collected through a steel column to collection cisterns on the level below. The inverted umbrella style roof also provides shade, opens up to views, and maximizes breezes. The walls have a series of sliding and folding panels that can have the home be open and airy, or close down in adverse weather. (and it does get windy here!)
The home is a lovely example of sustainability through the use of smart and simple design.