Suburb House
The aesthetics of the final design are unapologetically suburban. The elevations of the house are flat and billboard-like, providing us with a field to compose the building elements. The materials used are common at the local big box hardware store. The more expensive materials like the cedar shingles that are used sparingly at key locations. The internal organization of the house is structured around the central staircase. All the common living spaces branch off from the stair, which delineates the interconnected spaces. The stairwell also provides light into the heart of the home through all hours of the day via the defining large landing window and accompanying smaller windows. This home remains true to its modest, suburban foundation, while seeking to elevate what a home in this landscape can be.
In addition to the design of the home we greatly improved its efficiency. This starts with a high-performance envelope of continuous insulation, rainscreens, and efficient windows resulting in only ~1.5 ACH50. Heat pumps condition the spaces and provide the domestic hot water. All appliances are electric, and Energy Star rated. A HRV provides all fresh air supply and exhaust for the home. The exterior of the home received a series of upgrades including onsite dispersion pits allowing all rainwater to be managed on site. The typical monoculture lawn is replaced with native meadow flowers, clover and beds of native plants, requiring little to no irrigation..
Location - Kenmore, WA
Type - Single Family Residential
Area - 2,605 sf
Year - 2024
Landscape - Lookout
Contractor - Metis Construction
Structural - CG Engineering
Photography - Kyle Johnson
Recognition
Dwell - 2025