A Mid-Century Modern Home Shows How Going Green be Luxurious
By Patty Ducey-Brooks
If you travel around Mission Hills you will quickly realize that the community is quite diverse, in terms of architecture, style, history and tastes. Because of the interests, attitudes and backgrounds of the residents, it’s easy to understand the reason for this diversity. Mission Hills’ residents seek to identify themselves by the homes they live in.
Recently I met with a homeowner who has an especially interesting lifestyle that is reflected in the home he built in South Mission Hill. Soheil Nakshab, who is the CEO of Nakshab Engineering and Development, gave me a tour of his new residence.
Nakshab shared with me that his family is originally from Iran. Before building the Mission Hills’ house, the Nakhshab family lived in Encinitas. Nakshab said he got interested in engineering, design and construction when he was 17 years old. That’s when he had his first home remodel project. Many years later, he has an impressive list of quality design and construction projects. Several are located in South Mission Hills.
Expressing a passion for his family and maintaining and strengthening their cultural heritage, Nakshab said this house allows three generations of the family to live under one roof. The benefits include minimizing cost-of-living expenses and supporting their strong cultural traditions.
Designed, engineered, and built by Nakhshab Development and Design (NDD), the residence is a 5,679-square foot masterpiece inspired by mid-20th Century design. Referred to as the Shayan House, it has earned the title of the “first LEED Certified Gold single family home in the City of San Diego,” according to the LEED for Homes public certification database. This accomplishment was achieved through the use of numerous green building techniques and materials.
The Shayan House has a highly efficient thermal envelope that includes state of the art formaldehyde-free insulation, a cool roof system, Low-E coated windows, concrete floors and walls, and a design that easily allows for cross ventilation.
Sustainable materials such as concrete flooring, concrete block walls, and 25 percent recycled content drywall, as well as low VOC paint was used throughout the house.
The house has ?91 percent Energy Star-rated lighting package along with energy saving motion sensors in most rooms, as well as Energy Star-rated appliances and low flow toilets and faucets. ?Other amenities include a zoned HVAC system that uses non-HCFC refrigerants for maximized efficiency, and a tankless water heater and re-circulating plumbing system.
To complete, the package, the property has 100 percent drought tolerant landscaping planted with native species.
And, though the structure is LEED certified, the Shayan House features an exclusive collection of custom elements that highlight how green can also be luxurious. There is a large entertaining-and-living space walled by 13-foot high floor-to-ceiling windows, and a sleek eight-foot wide gas fireplace; a custom wood and steel staircase that allows ambient light to shine through to the lower level, thus creating an airy feeling downstairs; an open floor plan with concrete flooring throughout, and mid-century inspired light fixtures; a spacious kitchen with large walnut storage cabinets, an expansive island and a walk-in pantry that also houses (and thus hides from sight) all electronic and sound systems.
One of my favorite features is a soundproof music room and home theater hidden behind a secret wall. Nakshab informed me that another tradition of his family is that they perform and entertain each other. Mother plays the piano. Nakshab and his father enjoy playing guitars and singing. This room is perfect for making music.
Before I departed his house, Nakshab shared the project’s biggest challenge, the significant grade that descends from the street to the canyon lot. Although a spacious 5,000 square feet, the lot sat vacant for more than a decade since it was considered inaccessible. Nakshab said that he and his team found the challenge exhilarating. It took the team approximately 11 months, from ground-breaking to final occupancy. Now he and his family are enjoying the finished project and their new residence.
Founded in 2005, Nakhshab Development and Design is a San Diego-based family owned and operated design-build firm that offers a full range of design and construction services including architectural and interior design, structural and MEP engineering, construction management, and LEED qualification services to architects, developers and property owners.
Category: Life Style, Local News
