Demand to create a curvilinear and feminine structure inspired the design of the new Wing House located on a 55-acre property in the remote hills of Malibu.
David Hertz wanted to integrate a unique roof structure that would allow for an unobstructed view of the mountain range and distinct views and found an airplane wing to be suitable to bring out his vision of a floating curved roof. The wing of a 747, at over 2,500 square feet, became a suitable configuration to maximize the views and provide a self-supporting roof with minimal additional structural support. The wings from the deconstructed Boeing 747 are in place as the home’s primary roof structures, and additional parts of the plane have also been utilized for the construction.
An entire 747 has been used to construct a main residence and six ancillary structures. The main residence has the plane’s wings as its roof and the cockpit part has been transformed into a meditation pavilion. The first class cabin deck has been designed to function as the guest house while the lower half of the fuselage has been transformed as the animal bam. Solar power, radiant heating, natural ventilation and high performance heat mirror glazing are incorporated to make the house energy-efficient.
The recycling of the 4.5 million parts of this ‘big aluminum can’ is considered as an extreme example of sustainable reuse and appropriation.
David Hertz is well-known as an innovative architect, designer, inventor and educator in the field of environmental design. Hertz’s architectural practice Studio of Environmental Architecture focuses primarily on custom residential projects with particular experience in climate responsive, environmentally-sustainable homes.
