Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Modern, Ecofriendly Prefab in Seattle
Green materials and a connection with nature help this prefab house, and the family who lives there, tread lightly on the earth
Tucked neatly into a suburban Seattle neighborhood of midcentury, Craftsman and modern architecture, this slightly customized prefab house reflects its progressive and environmentally conscious community. Principal architect Heather Johnston of Place points out that, though the house's character is friendly and approachable, it also demands self-reflection. At its core is a request for its inhabitants to try to live lightly on the earth — albeit in small steps.
"Monica and Sam Guckenheimer were downsizing from a 5,000-square-foot home to this home. At the core of their decision is the idea that we can all live in smaller houses with more outside spaces preserved for tree growth, play and outdoor activities," says Johnston.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Monica and Sam Guckenheimer, their two kids and the family dog
Location: Seattle
Size: 2,476 square feet
That's interesting: A solar-powered domestic hot water system heats the backyard pool.
"Monica and Sam Guckenheimer were downsizing from a 5,000-square-foot home to this home. At the core of their decision is the idea that we can all live in smaller houses with more outside spaces preserved for tree growth, play and outdoor activities," says Johnston.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Monica and Sam Guckenheimer, their two kids and the family dog
Location: Seattle
Size: 2,476 square feet
That's interesting: A solar-powered domestic hot water system heats the backyard pool.
The house was assembled onsite from a kit in a little more than seven months. This image shows the two-car garage with Sam's office above, the natural wood shiplap siding and the chartreuse HardiePanel — all low-maintenance materials that were carefully detailed to resist the elements gracefully.
"Sam's home office above the garage is a real workplace for him. He telecommutes some days of the week, which saves on his commute time and gas and gives him more time with his family," says Johnston.
"Sam's home office above the garage is a real workplace for him. He telecommutes some days of the week, which saves on his commute time and gas and gives him more time with his family," says Johnston.
Roll-up doors connect the kitchen and dining area to the outdoor patio and pool area. The doors serve as large windows when closed, and when open, they disappear entirely, blending the outside into the inside. Johnston says, "The roll-up doors have a commercial and industrial look and feel to them but are entirely appropriate and economical to use for this home."
The dining table, windowsills and stair treads came from a fir tree that was on the property prior to construction.
The dining table, windowsills and stair treads came from a fir tree that was on the property prior to construction.
The Guckenheimers' home, along with all Place houses, was made with materials that are nontoxic and low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It's equipped with low-flow plumbing fixtures to conserve water and with Energy Star–rated appliances.
"This family is all about flopping on the couch together, living and working and doing all the things that families do in the home. But they also love their individual spaces, being able to read quietly somewhere or watch a movie in the living room. The layout of this house works for them and is an articulation of their love for each other," says Johnston.
In-floor radiant heating is cost effective and runs off the same boiler that supplements the heat for domestic hot water. The floors are made of structural concrete slab, which minimized the layers of material needed to finish out the space, cut down on waste and eliminated a layer of finish that would otherwise have to be replaced every 10 years or so.
In-floor radiant heating is cost effective and runs off the same boiler that supplements the heat for domestic hot water. The floors are made of structural concrete slab, which minimized the layers of material needed to finish out the space, cut down on waste and eliminated a layer of finish that would otherwise have to be replaced every 10 years or so.
The backyard lap pool is heated entirely by solar power.
The home's siding is made from reclaimed and refinished wood. Lines blur between the outdoors and indoors; there's a feeling of being connected to nature, whether you're in the dining area or having a drink out in the patio.
"The Guckenheimers realized that having two and a half baths works just fine for a family of five. Sharing bathrooms reduces the total number of fixtures, which reduces overall water usage," says Johnston.
For Johnston, it's impossible to put a price tag on the thrill of creating something she really loves and that is also valued by the Guckenheimers.
"This family sees the importance of treading lightly on the earth," she says. "They were so happy with the house concept that they didn't need to change much. In exchange, they got an easy, low-stress design process out of everything — and a home that reflects their life philosophy."
Related article: What's Up With Prefab?
"This family sees the importance of treading lightly on the earth," she says. "They were so happy with the house concept that they didn't need to change much. In exchange, they got an easy, low-stress design process out of everything — and a home that reflects their life philosophy."
Related article: What's Up With Prefab?
The kitchen and living room cabinets are formaldehyde free. "Although these particular cabinets were sourced from Italy, we've since learned that local shops are working with formaldehyde-free plywood, so we're sourcing locally from here on. Trust that the cabinets were shipped with green tags to offset carbon emissions," says Johnston.
Couch: Togo, Ligne Roset