Inside Rick Torcasso's Thermal Mass Green Home
Posted by Daniel Edelman on
Rick Torcasso chose the exquisite landscape of northern New Mexico as a backdrop for his new home. Together with architect Lawrence W. Speck of PageSutherlandPage, Wendy Dunnam Tita of Dunnam Tita Architecture + Interiors and commissioned artist Margo Sawyer , The Torcasso residence was designed to create harmony between art, architecture and landscape using light, color and space.
The central room is framed by rammed earth walls comprised of four colors of soil. The team drew inspiration from geological layers in the nearby mountains. The walls function as a thermal mass, absorbing heat throughout the day, yet still keeping the house cool. As the temperatures drop at night, the walls give off heat.
Living Room
Photo: Robert Reck[/caption]
Left: Outdoor patio with glass panels open Right: Dining Room
Photo: Robert Reck
The home features large, operable glass panels that slide away to create an open floor plan. The Torcasso’s enjoy beautiful panoramic views on the north side and a quant courtyard on the south side. The interior features block walls created by artist Margo Sawyer. Each colored block was selected to represent the sky, light, sunsets and desert vegetation while still playing in harmony with the rammed earth walls. The beauty of the artwork is that it is a part of the room, the home and the landscape.
The kitchen features Blanco sinks with Dornbracht’s faucet and is equipped with Miele appliancesPhoto: Robert Reck
BainUltra Essencia freestanding bath with Dornbracht Meta.02 tub filler 
Shower with Dornbracht faucets and Thermasol steam 
Custom made vanity with Dornbracht Meta.02 faucet