Madrona Passive House, a new Seattle home designed by SHED Architecture & Design and built by Hammer & Hand, combines contemporary design with high performance building to create an environmentally responsive and resource-efficient house. The home’s airtight, super-insulated building envelope and passive design minimize energy consumption while providing superior thermal comfort to occupants. A heat recovery ventilator supplies constant fresh air to the home’s interior while recovering 90% of thermal energy from exhaust air for reuse inside. A rooftop solar photovoltaic array will provide enough energy to offset most, perhaps all, of the home’s energy consumption on a net annual basis. To manage stormwater the project employs permeable pavers for site hardscape and two cisterns to capture and control rainwater from the home’s roof and the green roof on the garage. By investing in sustainable site development strategies, efficient building systems and an advanced envelope, the project aims to respect the home’s environmentally critical site and achieve one of the world’s most demanding building energy standards: Passive House. Photos by Mark Woods Photography.

Madrona Passive House, a new Seattle home designed by SHED Architecture & Design and built by Hammer & Hand, combines contemporary design with high performance building to create an environmentally responsive and resource-efficient house. The home’s airtight, super-insulated building envelope and passive design minimize energy consumption while providing superior thermal comfort to occupants. A heat recovery ventilator supplies constant fresh air to the home’s interior while recovering 90% of thermal energy from exhaust air for reuse inside. A rooftop solar photovoltaic array will provide enough energy to offset most, perhaps all, of the home’s energy consumption on a net annual basis. To manage stormwater the project employs permeable pavers for site hardscape and two cisterns to capture and control rainwater from the home’s roof and the green roof on the garage. By investing in sustainable site development strategies, efficient building systems and an advanced envelope, the project aims to respect the home’s environmentally critical site and achieve one of the world’s most demanding building energy standards: Passive House. Photos by Mark Woods Photography.

This clean white and blue ensuite bathroom completes a cozy top floor owners' retreat. Concentric curved white tile with gray grout evokes a sense of play while the minimal color palette, frameless shower and white counter with under-mount sink keep the overall experience serene.

The owners of this inner- SE Buckman beauty wanted to reinvigorate the home's historic 1913 charm while tastefully balancing clean, contemporary design with deep energy upgrades. Green Hammer met the challenge with an expanded gourmet kitchen, fine woodwork, reclaiming the attic for a bedroom suite and yoga space with views of the Portland skyline and all the accouterments of a great Green Hammer project like heat recovery ventilation, comprehensive energy and weatherization upgrades, and a rooftop solar array. Photo: Bill Purcell

How do you improve on midcentury modern? Lincoln Lighthill Architect’s extensive renovation of an early 60's, Eichler-esque home on Twin Peaks answers the question by picking up where the original house left off, with simple but important updates that reimagine this unique home. By replacing punched windows with walls of glass, removing interior walls and opening up a 40’ wide living space with a large steel moment frame, inserting skylights at key locations to bring light deep into the interior, and cantilevering a steel and timber deck off the front to take in the spectacular view, the full potential of the original design is realized. The renovation included an inside and out rethinking of how the home functions, with new kitchen, bathrooms, and finishes throughout. A comprehensive energy upgrade included efficient windows, LED lighting and dimming controls, spray-foam insulation throughout, efficient furnace upgrades, and pre-wiring for a rooftop solar system.

The owners of this inner- SE Buckman beauty wanted to reinvigorate the home's historic 1913 charm while tastefully balancing clean, contemporary design with deep energy upgrades. Green Hammer met the challenge with an expanded gourmet kitchen, fine woodwork, reclaiming the attic for a bedroom suite and yoga space with views of the Portland skyline and all the accouterments of a great Green Hammer project like heat recovery ventilation, comprehensive energy and weatherization upgrades, and a rooftop solar array. Photo: Bill Purcell

The owners of this inner- SE Buckman beauty wanted to reinvigorate the home's historic 1913 charm while tastefully balancing clean, contemporary design with deep energy upgrades. Green Hammer met the challenge with an expanded gourmet kitchen, fine woodwork, reclaiming the attic for a bedroom suite and yoga space with views of the Portland skyline and all the accouterments of a great Green Hammer project like heat recovery ventilation, comprehensive energy and weatherization upgrades, and a rooftop solar array. Photo: Bill Purcell

Along South Boulder Creek near Eldorado Springs, Basecamp is more than a home—it’s the launching point for a couple’s next great adventure in retirement. This 3,500 square foot sanctuary reflects the homeowners’ love of art, wildlife, and quiet beauty. Working with Rodwin Architecture, they envisioned a home that honors the site, celebrates natural light, and supports aging in place—while creating daily moments of connection to the outdoors. The home is a spatially rich design with an open yet composed rhythm, where carefully framed views bring both privacy and panorama. The owners infused it with inspirations from Europe, including its traditional beam-work, a unique tearoom solarium, and an exquisite old-world kitchen. Inside, natural materials and layered finishes create a warm, inviting palette. Creamy Texas limestone wraps the fireplace hearth, while bold art, custom furnishings, and handcrafted details bring joyful character throughout. The great room anchors the home with vaulted ceilings, exposed timber beams, and expansive windows that capture views of the mountains and the creek. Window seats create intimate moments for reading, reflection, and wildlife watching. The home’s L-shaped plan places the great room on a 45-degree angle between wings to capture a perfect view across the meadow to the Flatirons – and carefully nestled between a pair of beloved hundred-year-old Cottonwoods. This gesture opens to a sweeping patio that cascades into the landscape, connecting every main living space to the outdoors. The site terraces down to restored creek banks, supporting safe passage for elk, deer, coyotes, and more through renewed wildlife corridors. Basecamp is also a model of ecological stewardship. After deconstructing the previous home, 89% of materials were diverted from the landfill through Perks Deconstruction. The new home achieved a HERS rating of 22 and includes a 9.6 kW rooftop solar array, a 20 SEER air-source heat pump, ERV, LED lighting, and low-flow fixtures. In partnership with a local biologist and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the team integrated subtle screening to protect the threatened Preble’s meadow jumping mouse by shielding night lighting. The result is a retreat that forms a partnership with its site —rooted in place, open to the wild—and true to its name: a Basecamp you reach after miles on the trail, where the light softens, wildflowers line the meadow, and you feel both held by the landscape and free within it. Built by Skycastle Construction.

How do you improve on midcentury modern? Lincoln Lighthill Architect’s extensive renovation of an early 60's, Eichler-esque home on Twin Peaks answers the question by picking up where the original house left off, with simple but important updates that reimagine this unique home. By replacing punched windows with walls of glass, removing interior walls and opening up a 40’ wide living space with a large steel moment frame, inserting skylights at key locations to bring light deep into the interior, and cantilevering a steel and timber deck off the front to take in the spectacular view, the full potential of the original design is realized. The renovation included an inside and out rethinking of how the home functions, with new kitchen, bathrooms, and finishes throughout. A comprehensive energy upgrade included efficient windows, LED lighting and dimming controls, spray-foam insulation throughout, efficient furnace upgrades, and pre-wiring for a rooftop solar system.

How do you improve on midcentury modern? Lincoln Lighthill Architect’s extensive renovation of an early 60's, Eichler-esque home on Twin Peaks answers the question by picking up where the original house left off, with simple but important updates that reimagine this unique home. By replacing punched windows with walls of glass, removing interior walls and opening up a 40’ wide living space with a large steel moment frame, inserting skylights at key locations to bring light deep into the interior, and cantilevering a steel and timber deck off the front to take in the spectacular view, the full potential of the original design is realized. The renovation included an inside and out rethinking of how the home functions, with new kitchen, bathrooms, and finishes throughout. A comprehensive energy upgrade included efficient windows, LED lighting and dimming controls, spray-foam insulation throughout, efficient furnace upgrades, and pre-wiring for a rooftop solar system.

Converting the attic into a cozy owner's retreat allowed room for this efficient second floor laundry room that opens onto a sunny deck above the front entry.

[?????? ??????????] At the intersection of art and architecture lives our Mobile Greenhouse. This seeming love-child of tom fruin & olson kundig was assembled with salvaged pieces including Sunkist-steel-factory windows, a motorcycle trailer, an old factory hand wheel, a rooftop solar water tank, a kid’s single speed bicycle front/rear sprockets, a chain from a retractable entry gate along with new metal stock from @ims_metals and beautiful art glass from @pacificartglass. p.c. Gary Moss Photography Function is elevated through beauty and now our herb garden is protected from the adorable bunnies of this Conejo Valley while the structure throws pools of liquid blue and green on the DG. All while re-using leftover parts, some of a bygone era. (Sigh. Oh, single-paned steel windows, we love you - even though you are completely energy inefficient) The parabolic angle-iron arch was critical to the design so we sallied forth through the tantrums it caused. As lovers of #stainedglass in general, we loved seeing this larger scale project come together.

[?????? ??????????] At the intersection of art and architecture lives our Mobile Greenhouse. This seeming love-child of tom fruin & olson kundig was assembled with salvaged pieces including Sunkist-steel-factory windows, a motorcycle trailer, an old factory hand wheel, a rooftop solar water tank, a kid’s single speed bicycle front/rear sprockets, a chain from a retractable entry gate along with new metal stock from @ims_metals and beautiful art glass from @pacificartglass. p.c. Gary Moss Photography Function is elevated through beauty and now our herb garden is protected from the adorable bunnies of this Conejo Valley while the structure throws pools of liquid blue and green on the DG. All while re-using leftover parts, some of a bygone era. (Sigh. Oh, single-paned steel windows, we love you - even though you are completely energy inefficient) The parabolic angle-iron arch was critical to the design so we sallied forth through the tantrums it caused. As lovers of #stainedglass in general, we loved seeing this larger scale project come together.

[?????? ??????????] At the intersection of art and architecture lives our Mobile Greenhouse. This seeming love-child of tom fruin & olson kundig was assembled with salvaged pieces including Sunkist-steel-factory windows, a motorcycle trailer, an old factory hand wheel, a rooftop solar water tank, a kid’s single speed bicycle front/rear sprockets, a chain from a retractable entry gate along with new metal stock from @ims_metals and beautiful art glass from @pacificartglass. p.c. Gary Moss Photography Function is elevated through beauty and now our herb garden is protected from the adorable bunnies of this Conejo Valley while the structure throws pools of liquid blue and green on the DG. All while re-using leftover parts, some of a bygone era. (Sigh. Oh, single-paned steel windows, we love you - even though you are completely energy inefficient) The parabolic angle-iron arch was critical to the design so we sallied forth through the tantrums it caused. As lovers of #stainedglass in general, we loved seeing this larger scale project come together.

One of the most notable achievements on the Energuide rating of 84 which has been since improved by adding a rooftop solar panel array which completely eliminates the homeowners electricity bill throughout the year. Additionally, the house is one of, if not the tightest building envelopes to be built in the Okanagan at only 1.25 air changes per hour which results in significant natural gas and electricity savings. Phpto Credit - Robert Stupka

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