San Juan Island, WA
Owner|Contractor | On-Site Builders | PAO Structural Engineering
Seattle AIA What Makes it Green? Top 10 Project 2009
“Island Adventure” Seattle Magazine, July 2009
“Small House, Big Design” Builder/Architect Magazine, October 2009
“Green Cottage for the Islands” At Home Magazine, December/January 2009
This residence challenged us to create the most sustainable project possible on a young family’s moderate budget. A main factor in achieving this goal was keeping the square feet to a minimum through detailed spatial planning and eliminating wasted space. Flexibility was integrated throughout the house, including a garage apartment now used as an office, but allowing for future wealth as a rental space.
Sustainable elements of the residence include advanced framing construction, ductless heating through hydronic in-floor heat powered by a geothermal heat pump. Materials include EcoTop counters, EcoBatt insulation, rain screen siding using Homeslicker housewrap, an instant hot water heater, Energy Star certified appliances, salvaged clear fir flooring and concrete pavers rescued from a commercial project on the island.
The San Juan Channel House was selected as one of the 10 projects for the Northwest Ecobuilding Guild’s annual 10x10x10 Green Building Slam. View the slide show here. It has been featured in Builder/Architect, Seattle and At Home Magazines and was a Seattle AIA What Makes it Green Top 10 Project, a regional design award (see entry here).