Our top priority became to design efficiently but in a way that would allow for 30% humidity to be maintained in the house. Due to these necessary environmental demands coupled with a super insulated home, a resilient, 16” deep section was developed, with a vapor barrier placed mid-wall and virtually uninterrupted behind all services. This ensures that the levels of humidity won’t cause rot within the assembly. Such thickness also provided an opportunity for dramatic juxtaposition as well as added function, allowing us to place windows both on the inner side and outer side of the wall. The deeply inset windows provide their own shade, a necessary piece of net-zero building, while windows flush with the exterior make space for deep sills and an integral wraparound window seat in the living room. Shading at the lower windows only is sensible in this unique case, the lines of which further accentuate the contrast. From the street, it isn’t immediately apparent that a vibrant, light-filled space will emerge anywhere within this unassuming, untreated cedar shed, much less a detached studio down the hill, but the deeply recessed corner window provides a clue. The simplicity of two opposing roof planes allows a single, oversized dormer to distinguish itself, the first hint of which is revealed only after you walk into the space. While designing for ample passive solar, a swath on the south wall was reserved for a preservation-worthy piece of art above the dining nook, its back completely to the sun for protection. The sloped nature of the land afforded us the opportunity to float the back part of the house on board-formed concrete piers which pay homage to the prevalent foundations of the island. Three outdoor seating areas allow distinctly different experiences of privacy and sun, as well as views into the adjacent woods and protected meadow. A 6.7 kW solar array provides all the capacity needed for its two residents to achieve net zero energy in this exceptionally airtight house (0.33 ACH50) approaching Passive House standards (5.14 kBTU/sf/yr).
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Photographer: Irvin Serrano
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Photographer: Irvin Serrano
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Photographer: Irvin Serrano
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Photographer: Irvin Serrano
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Photographer: Irvin Serrano
