Phi House is a Studio/Tiny Home design that is a Rhombic Triacontahedron geodome, where the wall facets are perpendicular to the floors allowing for furniture and treatments to sit flush against them. The ratio between the diagonals of the individual facets as well as the floor dimensions are equivalent to the golden mean, PHI, hence its name.

The dream and brainchild of mathematics teacher Jamie York, with design support from Clisset LLC owners, Brian Fazio, and Steve Clisset, is a scalable concept. Not only can it be built larger by increasing the sizes of the footprint and the individual rhombic facets, but the facets at the wall to floor junction are stackable to create a multi storied structure.

Its minimalist, 350 sq. ft., size is deceptively comfortable both due to the golden mean recurring aspect and to the precise placement on the property relative to the beautiful views and sizing of the expansive window arrangement. Supported on 6 columns of poured concrete inside black painted corrugated culvert pipe, it is suspended above the hillside and has often been described as looking like an alien craft that has landed on the site.

The interior is a simple open design with a ¾ bath immediately adjacent to the entry and a loft sleeping area above that is accessed by an open spiral staircase of live edge white oak stair treads, supported by custom metal brackets, attached to a 12” beetle kill pine post. Custom irregular railing on the post of the stairs and along the sleeping loft are made from locally scavenged aspen limbs. From the entry, there is a two tread rise to the open cooking and living area that makes the magnificent views, through the oversized windows, comfortably visible.

The outside is clad with Dragon Armor® custom fabricated shingles, of 26 gauge painted steel, tailored to fit each facet precisely in 4 colors that change dramatically dependent on the time of day and the angle of the sun. Each facet is a different color to its adjacent facets with black accent trim flashing between. The effect plays with the mind to create an optical illusion of cubes either jutting out or folding inward on the structure.

The minimalist components for the kitchen are from trailer/mobile home manufacturers. The total cost to build and complete the structure sans cook top, windows and bath components was $104,000.
Phi House is a creative, elegant, beautiful, comfortable and affordable housing option.

Category:EnvironmentsYear:2024Designers:Jamie York, Brian Fazio, and Steve Clisset, Clisset LLC., Hotchkiss, Colorado, USA and Jamie York, Jamie York Math Academy, Paonia, Colorado, USAManufacturer:Clisset LLC., Hotchkiss, Colorado, USAPhotographers:Ken Bartle