MariSol Malibu Zero 2 by Burdge Architects

Design
Architect: Burdge Architects
Photographer: Tanveer Badal

Materials
CD-Series heaters
Flush Mount Frame
home management panel

Founded in 1987 by Douglas W. Burdge, AIA, Burdge Architects is one of the preeminent architecture firms working in Malibu, CA. With President Jennifer Hoppel at the helm, Burdge Architects has received industry acclaim, won awards, and had properties featured in Architectural Digest, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Sunset, and Dwell. Homes designed by Burdge are known for both luxury and sustainability, and with over 300 custom homes just in Malibu, they’re also known for their versatility in design. The team strives to use eco-friendly materials whenever possible and incorporates the natural landscape into their designs.

Before CONSTRUCTION Burdge Architects had been working with the developers of Marisol Malibu for about a decade before the developers proposed building zero carbon homes. The two-acre property that would become Zero 2 faced the mountains to the north and the ocean to the south, with stunning views, so capitalizing on the site became the foundation for the design. PROJECT GOALS As in all their projects, Burdge’s design for the luxurious Zero 2 would celebrate the California landscape and emphasize outdoor living. What would take this project into new territory would be the home’s zero carbon agenda. To reduce the polluting effects of carbon, Zero 2 would have to be constructed without any sources of combustion, minimizing the use of carbon offenders by selecting materials with reduced carbon footprints.

“INFRATECH IS ALWAYS OUR GO-TO. IT’S THE FIRST PLACE I LOOK, BECAUSE THEY’VE BEEN TRUSTED, AND WE’VE USED THEM IN SO MANY OF OUR HOMES. WE KNOW THAT THEY’RE GOING TO PERFORM, WE KNOW THAT WE’RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ISSUES WITH THEM. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE KNOW IT’S GOING TO SEAMLESSLY INTEGRATE WITH THE DESIGN OF THE HOME.”— JENNIFER HOPPEL

…As you walk in at the entry, you're looking immediately out from the large glass doors through our large pocketing doors directly out to the view. And we wanted to make sure that there was nothing hanging down from that ceiling, interrupting that very critical view on your entry. So the flush mount heaters from Infratech are the perfect solution.

— Jennifer Hoppel

Project Inspirations
In their design for Zero 2, Burdge Architects wanted to demonstrate that net carbon design can be beautiful, luxurious, and respectful of its natural environment. Since the property had spectacular views of the natural Malibu landscape on all sides, the home was designed to have a tropical, Hawaiian feel that would showcase its surroundings. Indoor/outdoor living was a natural extension of this design focus.

Outdoor Design Approach
The line between indoors and outdoors dissolves in this home. With multiple outdoor living areas, Burdge wanted to ensure that the Malibu views and relaxing outdoor rooms would be usable even when the cooler winter months arrived. They also wanted to ensure that no combustion sources like traditional gas heaters were used in these areas, and that the views would not be obstructed by whatever heating source they chose.

About The Design
To achieve Zero 2’s Hawaiian feel, the single-level home features a raised deck, split pitched roofs, and palapas. Each bedroom has its own private deck, sheltered by the home’s landscape. In the open spaces like the pool area, the outdoors is seen as a natural extension of the surrounding areas like the kitchen.

Integrating Infratech
Electric, American-made Infratech heaters made perfect sense for Zero 2’s focus on zero carbon. Burdge Architects selected Infratech CD-Series heaters for the pool cabana; this choice allowed the heaters to hang down a bit from the sloped roof, allowing for the correct angles for maximum outdoor comfort. For the outdoor areas adjoining the bedrooms, they chose to flush mount the Infratech WD-Series to guarantee unobstructed views. The home’s smart system integrated with Infratech’s Home Management Panel so the heaters can be controlled by zone and set at a comfort level that allows the homeowners to not overuse the system when they don’t need it.

Flush mount Infratech WD-Series heaters allow for an unobstructed view of the lush Malibu scenery, whether seen through the large windows or enjoyed on the pool deck.

With Infratech heaters to keep the outdoor areas cozy and incredible views on all sides, indoor and outdoor living integrate seamlessly.

When the sea breezes get cool, the homeowners can still enjoy time outdoors, thanks to zone-controlled Infratech heaters that keep the property energy-efficient.

Zero 2 was built to have a tropical feel, with outdoor living areas emphasizing the beauty of the home’s natural surroundings — as well as the versatility of sustainable home design.

“The Infratech home management panel allows us to incrementally adjust each heater to the desired level of heat. It also allows us to adjust each zone, so that we're not using heaters in areas that are not occupied." — Jennifer Hoppel