The Millbrook Barn project consisted of the complete renovation of a dilapidated barn and chicken coop, located behind a small farm house in Millbrook, New York. As the smaller main house could not accommodate space for the children to play, the family wanted to update their unused space to create an expansive indoor playroom and gathering space. The strategy for this project was to renovate the barn and pool house using sustainable and reclaimed materials, to produce an intersection of modern and antique design In contrast to the all-white main house, we selected a deep charcoal grey for the new barn’s exterior. A subtle, sophisticated tension between traditional, rustic elements and more contemporary details prevails throughout, from wood-paneled walls and barn doors, to clean-lined square windows inspired by artist Donald Judd’s minimalist compound in Marfa, Texas. In our design, we wanted to create an authentic experience of the space, without having to fake farmhouse details. A number of kitchen and bathroom surfaces are made of prefabricated concrete, including the shower enclosures, fireplace, kitchen cabinets and three-inch-thick countertops. The floors throughout are made from engineered wood, with a driftwood-like finish that matches the weathered look of the salvaged cedar ceiling timbers. The lower, western wing of the L-shaped structure (originally the chicken coop) provides ample room for family feasts in the airy, open kitchen, living and dining area. Rounding out the architectural program is an upstairs bedroom loft which accommodates an overflow of guests, and features an inviting window seat and daybed. The loft overlooks the pool and sits above an attached pool house with boys’ and girls’ changing and shower rooms below. Solar panels, lined discretely along one slope of the standing-seam metal roof, power the pool’s heater. The interior decoration reflects the same chic but humble sensibility that characterizes the overall architectural design. In the playroom, paper globe lanterns hang above slouchy, brightly-hued chairs by Italian designer Paola Lenti; in the living and dining area, they enliven a suite of simple wicker and linen-covered chairs, some from the family’s existing home. Accessories in the space include raw silk rugs, boldly patterned kilims and rugged lighting features, which contribute to an overall rustic, yet elegant feel throughout.

Mike Dean
Small transitional courtyard concrete patio fountain photo with a roof extension

DILLON KYLE ARCHITECTS OFFICE BUILDING GIVES THE WOW FACTOR WITH ACCOYA PROJECT DETAILS Building Type: Office Building Completed: 2018 Architect: Dillon Kyle Architects Supplier: Universal Forest Products Millwork Shop: S&S Constructors Installer: Arista Construction Over the years, the Houston Museum District located in the Montrose neighborhood has morphed from a residential area into a lively art district, home to art galleries, museums, and aesthetically distinct buildings. When Dillon Kyle Architects set out to design their new office space across the street from the Houston Center for Photography, they needed creative solutions to fit a 5,000 square foot building plus parking on the lot’s small unique space. The three-story building takes the form of an inverted L, a configuration that allows for maximized parking on the narrow corner lot. The cantilever space was built to shade the cars from the hot Texas sun, while also creating a semi-public place that invites pedestrians to interact with the space and peer inside as they walk through the neighborhood. The interior design includes open ceilings, concrete walls, wood floors, residential scale furnishings and rugs and warm, neutral colors for a more industrial tone. The exterior has a commercial boxy look, so the team looked for creative cladding finishes to wrap the building and also serve as a rainscreen. After dismissing glass and papier-mâché options, the team settled on wood – Accoya® wood. “The idea was to use a material where you couldn’t tell where the patterns started and stopped, just one big continuous object,” said Peter Klein, architect at DKA. An abstract leaf-like pattern is carved into 2,500 eight-foot long by eight-inches tall and 11/16-inches in depth, Accoya wood boards wrapping the entire building. The leaf pattern serves as a gentle reference to the live oak trees that line the neighborhood. The rainscreen is made of G80 galvanized steel sheets offset from the building with the Accoya leaf boards attached to it. “We settled on wood, and specifically Accoya wood, because it is easy to mill, and we knew we were going to leave it unsealed,” said Klein. Because DKA had time, they inadvertantly put Accoya wood to the test by installing a four foot by eight foot sample wall on site. They watched the sample weather to a nice gray patina, which was the desired result. “Even left untreated, it didn’t warp or mildew or mold, and that let us know we were on the right path,” added Klein. The neutral gray tones coupled with its longterm durability, resistance to rot and insects made Accoya wood the ideal material for this project. The Accoya wood pieces were milled using a CNC machine, which programmed the patterns. Arista Construction and its crew installed the pieces and they “knocked it out of the park,” according to DKA Architects

Twin magnificent and historic valleys – named according to lore and legend for two star crossed lovers of warring Native American tribes - make up the unincorporated area of White County that has become a pivot point for the arts, activism, community and preservation. The Sautee and Nacoochee Valleys – both listed on the National Register of Historic Places – are primarily the naturally occurring, lowland landscape punctuated by the sites and assets that give the area its vibrant character. Even the mapping department in White County asserts that Sautee Nacoochee defies definitive boundaries as pride of place has propelled innovative expansion. Dedicated to Preserving and Protecting Although Sautee Nacoochee lacks conventional city government, clearly the "mayor" of this hamlet is the Sautee Nacoochee Community Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the region and to nurturing the creativity that thrives here. The Association maintains the Sautee Nacoochee Center, a restored red brick schoolhouse, that is home to dual galleries, a history museum showcasing Cherokee heritage, gold strikes, timber and railroads, the Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia, art and dance studios, a heritage site and nature preserve, an intimate theater, an environmental studies room and a conference and special event facility. The Community Association was instrumental in establishing the official Historic Districts and brought acclaim to Sautee Nacoochee by securing its nomination as one of “The 100 Best Small Arts Towns in America.” Arts programming, among other endeavors, remains one of the Center’s most valuable community resources. In addition to fostering children’s activities in music, dance, theatre and visual arts, the Center hosts the 50 member Sautee Nacoochee Community Chorale, art studio workshops, speaker luncheons for seniors, gallery exhibits, Contra dances, feature films, sustainable living forums and Open Stage nights. The Center’s six week long SummerFest is highlighted by the home grown folk life play, Headwaters, now in its fourth season, which serves as an unvarnished Valentine to and about the people, places and perceptions that shape the Valleys, and is consistently ranked as a Top 20 Event by the Southeastern Tourism Society.

Parrot's Beak (Lotus maculatus), cascading down the concrete wall. Pared with Euphorbia myrsinites and Blue Oat Grass. Lagoon-side property in the Bel Marin Keys, Novato, CA. Entertaining and enjoying the views were a primary design goal for this project. The project includes a large camaru deck with built-in seating. The concrete steps and pavers lead down to the water's edge. I included a sunken patio on one side and a beautiful Buddha statue on the other, surrounded by succulents and other low-water, contemporary plantings. I also used Dymondia ground cover to create a natural pathways within the garden. Photo: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design. Design Eileen Kelly

Tired of seeing the same old shit? I sure am. Why does every kitchen on this website look like it came out of a catalog, all shiny and fake, never used? No character, no history. Just shit you buy online and screw to the wall. Aren't these kitchens a little ostentatious? Like kitchens for people with too many houses. Why? Because it's all bullshit. These kitchens aren't being shown off here because they feed people. All they feed is the ego. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a commie. I'm not saying people should eat for free. Heck, I hate the homeless. Anyway, our kitchen feeds people. It's the backbone of a new program of sustainability. Teaching the children to care for the land and the food they grow. Food is work and work is food. I'm not sayin' you should feel guilty spending $500 bucks on a blender when 48.1 million Americans live in food-insecure households, including more than 15 million children. I'm just sayin' if you're gonna build somethin' do it with integrity and good taste. Trust yourself (not that I do that). Don't just regurgitate what you see in catalogs ( I steal shit right outta the book). Don't just follow your dreams. Anybody can do that. Live the myth, that's what we do. When remodeling it seems people put all the good shit in a dumpster and all the lame shit on display. First thing we do is get in that dumpster! Q: Like you're really gonna throw out that cool 1950's towel bar and install some piece of Chinese crap from #RestorationHardware instead? A: If that's how you think, don't hire us. Doughboys: We don't do smartphones, we don't do texting, faxes, memos, GPS, iPads, Facebook or Tweeting. We won't design a garage for your toaster and we don't trust microwave ovens. And finally, next time you're trying to figure out how to turn the damn lights off in your fancy kitchen, remember the Doughboys motto; we think intelligent lighting is stupid. Photo of The Artist Currently Known As DINO by Michael J. Kirk

Design ideas for a small traditional partial sun side yard brick garden path in Philadelphia.

Small elegant gray one-story mixed siding gable roof photo in Charleston

Twin magnificent and historic valleys – named according to lore and legend for two star crossed lovers of warring Native American tribes - make up the unincorporated area of White County that has become a pivot point for the arts, activism, community and preservation. The Sautee and Nacoochee Valleys – both listed on the National Register of Historic Places – are primarily the naturally occurring, lowland landscape punctuated by the sites and assets that give the area its vibrant character. Even the mapping department in White County asserts that Sautee Nacoochee defies definitive boundaries as pride of place has propelled innovative expansion. Dedicated to Preserving and Protecting Although Sautee Nacoochee lacks conventional city government, clearly the "mayor" of this hamlet is the Sautee Nacoochee Community Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the region and to nurturing the creativity that thrives here. The Association maintains the Sautee Nacoochee Center, a restored red brick schoolhouse, that is home to dual galleries, a history museum showcasing Cherokee heritage, gold strikes, timber and railroads, the Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia, art and dance studios, a heritage site and nature preserve, an intimate theater, an environmental studies room and a conference and special event facility. The Community Association was instrumental in establishing the official Historic Districts and brought acclaim to Sautee Nacoochee by securing its nomination as one of “The 100 Best Small Arts Towns in America.” Arts programming, among other endeavors, remains one of the Center’s most valuable community resources. In addition to fostering children’s activities in music, dance, theatre and visual arts, the Center hosts the 50 member Sautee Nacoochee Community Chorale, art studio workshops, speaker luncheons for seniors, gallery exhibits, Contra dances, feature films, sustainable living forums and Open Stage nights. The Center’s six week long SummerFest is highlighted by the home grown folk life play, Headwaters, now in its fourth season, which serves as an unvarnished Valentine to and about the people, places and perceptions that shape the Valleys, and is consistently ranked as a Top 20 Event by the Southeastern Tourism Society.

Twin magnificent and historic valleys – named according to lore and legend for two star crossed lovers of warring Native American tribes - make up the unincorporated area of White County that has become a pivot point for the arts, activism, community and preservation. The Sautee and Nacoochee Valleys – both listed on the National Register of Historic Places – are primarily the naturally occurring, lowland landscape punctuated by the sites and assets that give the area its vibrant character. Even the mapping department in White County asserts that Sautee Nacoochee defies definitive boundaries as pride of place has propelled innovative expansion. Dedicated to Preserving and Protecting Although Sautee Nacoochee lacks conventional city government, clearly the "mayor" of this hamlet is the Sautee Nacoochee Community Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the region and to nurturing the creativity that thrives here. The Association maintains the Sautee Nacoochee Center, a restored red brick schoolhouse, that is home to dual galleries, a history museum showcasing Cherokee heritage, gold strikes, timber and railroads, the Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia, art and dance studios, a heritage site and nature preserve, an intimate theater, an environmental studies room and a conference and special event facility. The Community Association was instrumental in establishing the official Historic Districts and brought acclaim to Sautee Nacoochee by securing its nomination as one of “The 100 Best Small Arts Towns in America.” Arts programming, among other endeavors, remains one of the Center’s most valuable community resources. In addition to fostering children’s activities in music, dance, theatre and visual arts, the Center hosts the 50 member Sautee Nacoochee Community Chorale, art studio workshops, speaker luncheons for seniors, gallery exhibits, Contra dances, feature films, sustainable living forums and Open Stage nights. The Center’s six week long SummerFest is highlighted by the home grown folk life play, Headwaters, now in its fourth season, which serves as an unvarnished Valentine to and about the people, places and perceptions that shape the Valleys, and is consistently ranked as a Top 20 Event by the Southeastern Tourism Society.

Twin magnificent and historic valleys – named according to lore and legend for two star crossed lovers of warring Native American tribes - make up the unincorporated area of White County that has become a pivot point for the arts, activism, community and preservation. The Sautee and Nacoochee Valleys – both listed on the National Register of Historic Places – are primarily the naturally occurring, lowland landscape punctuated by the sites and assets that give the area its vibrant character. Even the mapping department in White County asserts that Sautee Nacoochee defies definitive boundaries as pride of place has propelled innovative expansion. Dedicated to Preserving and Protecting Although Sautee Nacoochee lacks conventional city government, clearly the "mayor" of this hamlet is the Sautee Nacoochee Community Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the region and to nurturing the creativity that thrives here. The Association maintains the Sautee Nacoochee Center, a restored red brick schoolhouse, that is home to dual galleries, a history museum showcasing Cherokee heritage, gold strikes, timber and railroads, the Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia, art and dance studios, a heritage site and nature preserve, an intimate theater, an environmental studies room and a conference and special event facility. The Community Association was instrumental in establishing the official Historic Districts and brought acclaim to Sautee Nacoochee by securing its nomination as one of “The 100 Best Small Arts Towns in America.” Arts programming, among other endeavors, remains one of the Center’s most valuable community resources. In addition to fostering children’s activities in music, dance, theatre and visual arts, the Center hosts the 50 member Sautee Nacoochee Community Chorale, art studio workshops, speaker luncheons for seniors, gallery exhibits, Contra dances, feature films, sustainable living forums and Open Stage nights. The Center’s six week long SummerFest is highlighted by the home grown folk life play, Headwaters, now in its fourth season, which serves as an unvarnished Valentine to and about the people, places and perceptions that shape the Valleys, and is consistently ranked as a Top 20 Event by the Southeastern Tourism Society.

Our Modern Aspen ave. project was a home that grew out of our clients desire to have a modern home in the heart of the art filled, mountain-biking-community of Fruita, Colorado. Our original concept was to renovate an older existing home to be able to better function as a 2-3 bedroom home for her friends and family to come stay, ride bikes, play and enjoy downtown Fruita. Due to a combination of the poor quality of the existing structure, an almost non existent foundation and discovered geotechnical site conditions, the project became a new construction dream getaway. Design Concept: In developing this project our client desired, a modern, open floor plan home filled with natural light and a durable maintenance free exterior. From this program we massed the home into 3 distinctly separate zones contained within 3 simple modern forms; a transitional entry space, the public living spaces and the private bedroom spaces. These zones of the home were each to become visible from the exterior through the use of 3 separate durable exterior material claddings of wood, stucco and steel respectively. Spaces: The entry of the home, clad in wood, was created as a transitional space between the exterior and the living spaces by creating a feeling of compression before entering into the voluminous, light filled, living area. The large volume, tall windows and natural light of the living area allows for light and views to the exterior in all directions. The custom kitchen cabinets and cabinetry storage are “tucked in” under the stairs and loft allowing for a sense of refuge while in the “command center” of the home. In this design every inch of usable space was thoughtfully incorporated into its function. The private bedroom zone of the home has bedrooms stacked on 2 levels with the master suite on the main level and guest bedrooms and guest bath above. These Bedrooms adjoin a loft area that flows onto a covered and well shaded 2nd level deck. The loft and 2nd level deck allows for a separate living space to relax and gather with family and friends. Garage and Exterior landscaping: This project also considered our clients' need for storage and love for travel by creating storage space for an Airstream camper in the oversized 2 car garage at the back of the property. The design of the garage was flat roofed in order to preserve views and light on the north side of the home, while also allowing room for a photovoltaic (PV) solar system to offset electrical needs. The “lawn” and landscaping of the home were designed as a part of a no maintenance exterior requirement. Although wanting to be maintenance as maintenance free as possible on the exterior, her love for dogs required the home to have some form of grass, so we opted for a K-9 Grass turf system that is designed for pets and allows the turf to be rinsed into the soil through the use of a typical sprinkler system. Energy Efficiency: As in all of our homes, we design and built this project with increased energy efficiency standards in mind. Our standards begin below grade by designing our foundations with insulated concrete forms (ICF) for all of our exterior foundation walls, providing the below grade walls with an R value of 23. As a standard, we also install a passive radon system and a heat recovery ventilator to efficiently mitigate the indoor air quality within all of the homes we build. Above grade, the exterior walls on this home are built with 2x6 construction and sheathed with the Zip R-3 system allowing for an air and weather tight, R-27 exterior wall assembly. The flat roofs of the home are insulated with a hybrid closed cell foam and batt insulation system creating an affordable R-45 insulation. These roofs are covered with a reflective white, TPO membrane roof to reflect the excess heat during the hot summer months. The pitched roofs of the home are vented insulated with a breathable R-50 blown fiberglass insulation.

The Millbrook Barn project consisted of the complete renovation of a dilapidated barn and chicken coop, located behind a small farm house in Millbrook, New York. As the smaller main house could not accommodate space for the children to play, the family wanted to update their unused space to create an expansive indoor playroom and gathering space. The strategy for this project was to renovate the barn and pool house using sustainable and reclaimed materials, to produce an intersection of modern and antique design In contrast to the all-white main house, we selected a deep charcoal grey for the new barn’s exterior. A subtle, sophisticated tension between traditional, rustic elements and more contemporary details prevails throughout, from wood-paneled walls and barn doors, to clean-lined square windows inspired by artist Donald Judd’s minimalist compound in Marfa, Texas. In our design, we wanted to create an authentic experience of the space, without having to fake farmhouse details. A number of kitchen and bathroom surfaces are made of prefabricated concrete, including the shower enclosures, fireplace, kitchen cabinets and three-inch-thick countertops. The floors throughout are made from engineered wood, with a driftwood-like finish that matches the weathered look of the salvaged cedar ceiling timbers. The lower, western wing of the L-shaped structure (originally the chicken coop) provides ample room for family feasts in the airy, open kitchen, living and dining area. Rounding out the architectural program is an upstairs bedroom loft which accommodates an overflow of guests, and features an inviting window seat and daybed. The loft overlooks the pool and sits above an attached pool house with boys’ and girls’ changing and shower rooms below. Solar panels, lined discretely along one slope of the standing-seam metal roof, power the pool’s heater. The interior decoration reflects the same chic but humble sensibility that characterizes the overall architectural design. In the playroom, paper globe lanterns hang above slouchy, brightly-hued chairs by Italian designer Paola Lenti; in the living and dining area, they enliven a suite of simple wicker and linen-covered chairs, some from the family’s existing home. Accessories in the space include raw silk rugs, boldly patterned kilims and rugged lighting features, which contribute to an overall rustic, yet elegant feel throughout.

Sitting room The Millbrook Barn project consisted of the complete renovation of a dilapidated barn and chicken coop, located behind a small farm house in Millbrook, New York. As the smaller main house could not accommodate space for the children to play, the family wanted to update their unused space to create an expansive indoor playroom and gathering space. The strategy for this project was to renovate the barn and pool house using sustainable and reclaimed materials, to produce an intersection of modern and antique design In contrast to the all-white main house, we selected a deep charcoal grey for the new barn’s exterior. A subtle, sophisticated tension between traditional, rustic elements and more contemporary details prevails throughout, from wood-paneled walls and barn doors, to clean-lined square windows inspired by artist Donald Judd’s minimalist compound in Marfa, Texas. In our design, we wanted to create an authentic experience of the space, without having to fake farmhouse details. A number of kitchen and bathroom surfaces are made of prefabricated concrete, including the shower enclosures, fireplace, kitchen cabinets and three-inch-thick countertops. The floors throughout are made from engineered wood, with a driftwood-like finish that matches the weathered look of the salvaged cedar ceiling timbers. The lower, western wing of the L-shaped structure (originally the chicken coop) provides ample room for family feasts in the airy, open kitchen, living and dining area. Rounding out the architectural program is an upstairs bedroom loft which accommodates an overflow of guests, and features an inviting window seat and daybed. The loft overlooks the pool and sits above an attached pool house with boys’ and girls’ changing and shower rooms below. Solar panels, lined discretely along one slope of the standing-seam metal roof, power the pool’s heater. The interior decoration reflects the same chic but humble sensibility that characterizes the overall architectural design. In the playroom, paper globe lanterns hang above slouchy, brightly-hued chairs by Italian designer Paola Lenti; in the living and dining area, they enliven a suite of simple wicker and linen-covered chairs, some from the family’s existing home. Accessories in the space include raw silk rugs, boldly patterned kilims and rugged lighting features, which contribute to an overall rustic, yet elegant feel throughout.

Rivertown Landscapes LLC
This is an example of a traditional landscaping in Grand Rapids.

DILLON KYLE ARCHITECTS OFFICE BUILDING GIVES THE WOW FACTOR WITH ACCOYA PROJECT DETAILS Building Type: Office Building Completed: 2018 Architect: Dillon Kyle Architects Supplier: Universal Forest Products Millwork Shop: S&S Constructors Installer: Arista Construction Over the years, the Houston Museum District located in the Montrose neighborhood has morphed from a residential area into a lively art district, home to art galleries, museums, and aesthetically distinct buildings. When Dillon Kyle Architects set out to design their new office space across the street from the Houston Center for Photography, they needed creative solutions to fit a 5,000 square foot building plus parking on the lot’s small unique space. The three-story building takes the form of an inverted L, a configuration that allows for maximized parking on the narrow corner lot. The cantilever space was built to shade the cars from the hot Texas sun, while also creating a semi-public place that invites pedestrians to interact with the space and peer inside as they walk through the neighborhood. The interior design includes open ceilings, concrete walls, wood floors, residential scale furnishings and rugs and warm, neutral colors for a more industrial tone. The exterior has a commercial boxy look, so the team looked for creative cladding finishes to wrap the building and also serve as a rainscreen. After dismissing glass and papier-mâché options, the team settled on wood – Accoya® wood. “The idea was to use a material where you couldn’t tell where the patterns started and stopped, just one big continuous object,” said Peter Klein, architect at DKA. An abstract leaf-like pattern is carved into 2,500 eight-foot long by eight-inches tall and 11/16-inches in depth, Accoya wood boards wrapping the entire building. The leaf pattern serves as a gentle reference to the live oak trees that line the neighborhood. The rainscreen is made of G80 galvanized steel sheets offset from the building with the Accoya leaf boards attached to it. “We settled on wood, and specifically Accoya wood, because it is easy to mill, and we knew we were going to leave it unsealed,” said Klein. Because DKA had time, they inadvertantly put Accoya wood to the test by installing a four foot by eight foot sample wall on site. They watched the sample weather to a nice gray patina, which was the desired result. “Even left untreated, it didn’t warp or mildew or mold, and that let us know we were on the right path,” added Klein. The neutral gray tones coupled with its longterm durability, resistance to rot and insects made Accoya wood the ideal material for this project. The Accoya wood pieces were milled using a CNC machine, which programmed the patterns. Arista Construction and its crew installed the pieces and they “knocked it out of the park,” according to DKA Architects

The clients called me on the recommendation from a neighbor of mine who had met them at a conference and learned of their need for an architect. They contacted me and after meeting to discuss their project they invited me to visit their site, not far from White Salmon in Washington State. Initially, the couple discussed building a ‘Weekend’ retreat on their 20± acres of land. Their site was in the foothills of a range of mountains that offered views of both Mt. Adams to the North and Mt. Hood to the South. They wanted to develop a place that was ‘cabin-like’ but with a degree of refinement to it and take advantage of the primary views to the north, south and west. They also wanted to have a strong connection to their immediate outdoors. Before long my clients came to the conclusion that they no longer perceived this as simply a weekend retreat but were now interested in making this their primary residence. With this new focus we concentrated on keeping the refined cabin approach but needed to add some additional functions and square feet to the original program. They wanted to downsize from their current 3,500± SF city residence to a more modest 2,000 – 2,500 SF space. They desired a singular open Living, Dining and Kitchen area but needed to have a separate room for their television and upright piano. They were empty nesters and wanted only two bedrooms and decided that they would have two ‘Master’ bedrooms, one on the lower floor and the other on the upper floor (they planned to build additional ‘Guest’ cabins to accommodate others in the near future). The original scheme for the weekend retreat was only one floor with the second bedroom tucked away on the north side of the house next to the breezeway opposite of the carport. Another consideration that we had to resolve was that the particular location that was deemed the best building site had diametrically opposed advantages and disadvantages. The views and primary solar orientations were also the source of the prevailing winds, out of the Southwest. The resolve was to provide a semi-circular low-profile earth berm on the south/southwest side of the structure to serve as a wind-foil directing the strongest breezes up and over the structure. Because our selected site was in a saddle of land that then sloped off to the south/southwest the combination of the earth berm and the sloping hill would effectively created a ‘nestled’ form allowing the winds rushing up the hillside to shoot over most of the house. This allowed me to keep the favorable orientation to both the views and sun without being completely compromised by the winds.

The clients called me on the recommendation from a neighbor of mine who had met them at a conference and learned of their need for an architect. They contacted me and after meeting to discuss their project they invited me to visit their site, not far from White Salmon in Washington State. Initially, the couple discussed building a ‘Weekend’ retreat on their 20± acres of land. Their site was in the foothills of a range of mountains that offered views of both Mt. Adams to the North and Mt. Hood to the South. They wanted to develop a place that was ‘cabin-like’ but with a degree of refinement to it and take advantage of the primary views to the north, south and west. They also wanted to have a strong connection to their immediate outdoors. Before long my clients came to the conclusion that they no longer perceived this as simply a weekend retreat but were now interested in making this their primary residence. With this new focus we concentrated on keeping the refined cabin approach but needed to add some additional functions and square feet to the original program. They wanted to downsize from their current 3,500± SF city residence to a more modest 2,000 – 2,500 SF space. They desired a singular open Living, Dining and Kitchen area but needed to have a separate room for their television and upright piano. They were empty nesters and wanted only two bedrooms and decided that they would have two ‘Master’ bedrooms, one on the lower floor and the other on the upper floor (they planned to build additional ‘Guest’ cabins to accommodate others in the near future). The original scheme for the weekend retreat was only one floor with the second bedroom tucked away on the north side of the house next to the breezeway opposite of the carport. Another consideration that we had to resolve was that the particular location that was deemed the best building site had diametrically opposed advantages and disadvantages. The views and primary solar orientations were also the source of the prevailing winds, out of the Southwest. The resolve was to provide a semi-circular low-profile earth berm on the south/southwest side of the structure to serve as a wind-foil directing the strongest breezes up and over the structure. Because our selected site was in a saddle of land that then sloped off to the south/southwest the combination of the earth berm and the sloping hill would effectively created a ‘nestled’ form allowing the winds rushing up the hillside to shoot over most of the house. This allowed me to keep the favorable orientation to both the views and sun without being completely compromised by the winds.

When Booth Hansen’s client obtained seven acres of virgin forest on St. Joseph Island in Ontario, Canada, to build a retreat home, they intended to be good stewards of the land. They desired a series of cabins that were organized along the shoreline of Lake Huron but also which treaded lightly on the site. The design solution incorporated three black zinc clad volumes situated parallel to the water, sited to follow the natural contours of the land, and oriented to accentuate views to the surrounding area. Their dark color allows the cabins to recede into the shoreline forest, thereby intentionally diminishing the presence of the structures when viewed from the water. The cabins utilize a raised pier foundation, respecting the site by maintaining the natural topography, allowing snow melt and rainwater to drain naturally into the lake. Passive house insulation strategies were employed to allow optimal performance of the thermal envelope. Windows are aligned with one another to promote cross ventilation through the cabins as well as to frame specific views of the exterior from the inside. Operable windows located near the peak of each gabled volume allow for natural stack effect to remove heat from the cathedral ceiling volumes as well as to allow diffuse light to enter. For thermal comfort, radiant floor heating was utilized and geothermal loops were installed into the bottom of the lake to sustainably heat and cool the home. Custom zinc clad operable shutters are recessed into the walls on a concealed track to secure the building and protect the windows when it is not in use, but recede from view and provide additional insulation to the walls when open. Programming for this 4,500-square-foot group of cabins includes 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, powder room, great room, study/library and garage. A central living cabin holds the living and dining spaces and opens onto a waterfront deck. Glass bridge connectors on either side reach to two sleeping cabins. The study comprises floor to ceiling book shelves and a view across the water to the distant lighthouse, a structure that recalls fond childhood memories for our client, a well-known fiction writer. Deeper In the woods, a 1500 sf 2 level detached garage surprises and delights by housing a private dance studio on the second floor for our client’s wife, a famous flamenco dancer. Four sides of glass allow dancing among the treetops along with a view back to the water. While our clients were intrigued by the austere black zinc cladding for the exterior, on the inside of the home, a more whimsical aesthetic was desired. The earthy interior palette was pulled directly from the surrounding landscape. Jade green cabinets emulate the pine trees, while chocolate toned wood flooring recalls the forest floor. Furniture and personal items further propagate the idea of natural moments of color in the woods.