Architecture

The Covert Residence was designed to fit in harmony with nature. The house was placed in such a way that only one of the majestic old spruce trees was required to be cut. We then took and used it as the staircase spine. The landscaping was then restored to its native state.

All of the materials were drawn from either sustainable or recycled sources. The beams, from a local mill, were left rough cut to reduce the amount of energy put into processing them. Bamboo was used on the floor and countertops for its sustainability. Additionally, all surfaces were finished with non-toxic resins.

The home is heated primarily with a radiant floor heating system. Natural light floods each room and care was taken in window location not only to take advantage of the beautiful views, but to also create a passive ventilation system.

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Nestled between two existing trees on the banks of the Nehalem Estuary, this small rustic vacation cottage attempts to blend into it's native environment. The garage was downsized and separated from the house not only to reduce the overall mass of the home, but also to spare the trees currently residing on the site.

The post and beam structure was made entirely of salvaged timbers from a decommissioned lumber mill and cannery. No energy was expended on their finish. They were cleaned and kept in their current state. The structural flooring was sanded and used as the finish floor which used far less flooring and ceiling materials. All other finishes were toxin free.

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The Isbell residence was designed to compliment the knoll on which it sits. Its low profile and native landscaping will blend the structure into the land over time. Its exterior from is influenced from regional and historic sources. The home was designed as a stage for the owner's extensive collection of Japanese art. We took clues from Japanese Roykan architecture and divided the home into three separate buildings surrounded by individual landscaped courtyards. This greatly reduced the scale of the buildings and its effect on the knoll.

All materials were from sustainable sources and have non-toxic finishes. Natural light, ventilation and passive solar heating and cooling further reduce this home's energy requirements.

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