Project Site
(Photos provided by the client)

Temporary Structure to be replaced

Existing Main House nearby

Project Requirements

The project has a lot of unique requirements:

1. Respect the existing structure’s footprint. The only reason our clients are allowed to build on this site is that there is an existing structure that is grandfathered into what have become highly restrictive zoning rules. The existing structure is approx. 25’x38′ and 1,187 SF so the new structure would need to closely stick to that size.
2. Off-grid. Because the home is in a remote location and located 1/4 mile from the main house, utility access is cost-prohibitive. Here’s a look at how they plan to live comfortably in the home:
   1. Heat: Wood-burning stove that burns wood from fallen trees on the property.
   2. Power: PV panels located on the roof. This meant that we would have to be mindful of the roof design and the solar orientation of the structure – something that turned out to be a tricky restraint given the fixed footprint and orientation we were dealing with.
   3. Water: Freshwater would be pumped from the lake and treated for potable use. Rainwater collection and storage would provide gray and black water to the home’s fixtures. A solar thermal panel located on the roof near the PV panels will provide hot water to the home.
   4. Compost/Septic system. A compost toilet will transition to a full septic system in later years of development.
3. Limited site access. Site access is via a small dirt road that weaves through the wooded forest from the main house. This meant that a prefab structure was out of the question and so was a concrete truck so the foundation design would need to minimize the use of concrete.
4. Three-seasons home. The home would be winterized annually from October to May so we didn’t need to worry about high insulation requirements.
5. Small budget. The budget is modest. Our clients intend to spread the costs of construction (and the construction itself) out over the next few years, starting with the shell of the house in Year 1, followed by interior finishes and the septic system over Years 2-4.
6. Self-Build. Our clients wish to build as much as they can themselves with guidance from a local builder in the area.

Ultimately, our clients’ wish was to fulfill their lifelong ambition to establish a tasteful presence on the lake where their grandfather was born.

They envisioned a modern structure that was one-of-a-kind, modest in scale, respected the land and context, and blended into the surrounding landscape. Also, wanting to continue the “design legacy” introduced by the main house, they wished for a unique structure that took some cues from the main house.

Precedents

Our clients did a lot of research before coming to us. This included researching other projects that had similar characteristics, site constraints, and visual appeal. We went through the project examples and discussed what they liked about each one: open floor plan, modern pitched roof, interesting forms, wood cladding, small, compact size, etc.

Precedent Images

We also studied some of our favorite small modern homes and shared them in this post: Design Inspiration: Small Modern Homes.

Site Analysis

The site consisted of a small clearing surrounded by dense forest on three sides and water on the other. The dock is 50 ft away and the terrain slopes gradually up away from the water towards the forest.

As with many wooded lots, site constraints are plentiful. For this project, the big design moves were mostly figured out for us like building location, size, shape, and orientation.

We reviewed other key design considerations for rural and remote sites including access, terrain, utility hookups, and views. Limited access was via a small dirt road. The terrain was a gradual slope. Utility access was not possible. And then there were the views.

The site offered 270-degree views of the lake, some expansive, others more narrow. There were views of the water, the trees, and the sky.

Site Analysis

Programmatic massing / Space schematics

Programmatically, we needed to fit 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, and main living spaces into the floor plan. A secondary “nice to have” element was a loft with an additional sleeping area.

As we mentioned, many of the big design moves were pre-determined. We were limited in the overall footprint and placement of the house, but this wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. It just meant that we had to learn the nuances of those constraints and then either accept them or justify why we should deviate from them if it was allowed.

For example, we were limited to 1,189 SF and approx 25’x38′ footprint. But, we learned from local master builder that the new layout didn’t have to be the exact same size. We had a little flexibility in the exact footprint.

In our massing studies, we looked at two different ways of organizing space.

1. With 270 degree views of the water, we split the floor plan in half so that the public spaces (living, dining, kitchen) had views and easy access to the water by justifying them towards the north. Private bedroom spaces received quieter, focused views of the forest to the south.
2. Another way of dividing space resulted in splitting the floor plan in half in the other direction. This layout reoriented the public spaces so that they faced the water, but also faced the access road and entry. This layout also suggested that the master bedroom would have a prime view of the water.

Two options for programming + space schematics

Both massing studies had pros and cons and each had their own personalities, especially when it came to roof forms and massing.

Massing Studies

We shared these massing studies and their related precedent images with our clients. Their preference was to orient public spaces towards the water and private spaces towards the forest.

We also talked at length about roof profiles. Our clients didn’t really care for a simple gable roof, they wanted more interest. And besides, a gable roof wouldn’t provide the right solar orientation for solar panel installations. They didn’t want a remote satellite solar array. So whatever we did, we needed to have a portion of the roof pitched upward from the south.

Design Phase

All the work leading up to this point prepares us for the Design Phase ahead. Our discovery process is very much about learning and understanding – understanding the client, the site, the goals, and the rest of the project requirements. With a good understanding of all the variables at play, we’re able to create better designs that are more aligned with our clients and just make sense for the project.

Conceptual sketches

The design process actually started while we were working through our massing studies. As we studied various roof shapes and floor plan options, we were also thinking about the design in three-dimensions.

During the design process, we found that one design started to take off in a good way. It had just the right amount of connection to local context and uniqueness and still met all the programmatic requirements.

The design concept consisted of a mostly-rectangular footprint and an asymmetrical hipped roof. Gable and pitched roofs comprise a lot of structures in the area, so we stretched the pitched roof characteristic a bit. Keeping with the pitched idea, we gave the house a hipped roof that rose to a singular point.

For the floor plan, we took the basic rectangle footprint of the existing structure and did a little ‘pushing and pulling’ of the exterior walls. The overall square footage stayed the same, but we were able to add a little at the living area and subtract a little at the entry. In keeping the roof eaves rectangular, we created a nice covered area over the entries.

The asymmetrical roof also enabled us to create a small sleeping loft over the bedrooms while having a vaulted ceiling over the open public spaces.

Floor Plan concept

Rather than continuing to explore multiple options at this juncture, we shared this design option with our clients to see if we were on the right track. Turns out, our clients loved it!

They loved this way the design was simple and clean, yet had a unique roof profile. They loved the unique roof and the way we creatively used the floor plan to add space and provide protection. For the exterior design, they liked the natural wood siding and metal roof that are characteristic of the local housing stock and how the siding in its vertical orientation would blend in with the forest over time and complement the main house cladding. The solar array would fit on the south-facing roof pitch.

We were especially mindful of the region’s climatic conditions. Because this area has a lot of snowfall, we lifted the structure off the ground. We also included deep roof eaves to shed water away from the building’s face. Sitting snow and sliding sheets of ice are now less likely to damage the base of the house. Lifting the house above the ground plane also minimizes site disturbance and the amount of site work needed for foundations. This foundation strategy was also favorable to our clients who requested limiting the use of concrete due to limited site access.

Conceptual Design

Refining the Design Concept

We refined the design with our client’s budget and constructability guidelines in mind.

With a modest budget, we were mindful of common construction methods and materials. The entire structure could be built with wood framing by just a few people. The foundation was simple with small piers and floor beams. Window and door sizes were all standard with similar head heights. Wood siding and metal roofing could be easily sourced locally.

The trickiest part of the construction would be the roof framing. Our initial thought on the roof framing was to have four roof girders that would come together from each corner to a singular post with infill rafters between them, similar to pyramid roof framing. There would be a tricky connection where the four girders came together at the peak that would need some expert guidance though. Our clients knew that the roof needed further engineering anyway given the high snow loads in the area. The only lingering question was: Would the design be impacted by the subsequent engineering? Read through to the end of the post to find out.

Our thoughts for the interior were to keep it simple and economical with minimal trim. While the exterior palette was darker to meld with the forest, the lightness of the interior would be a nice contrast. Wood-framed windows, light wood floors, and plywood ceiling would keep the interior feeling light and airy. Nice birch plywood or a similar premium grade would be a nice interior material to leave unfinished and would be easy to install.

Final Concept Design

Our final concept design package included floor plans, elevations, sections, exterior and interior mood boards, and resources to specific products and materials to consider. We also included a roof eave detail and structural coordination notes for the project.

Since our concept design services are exactly that – concepts – they are not fully baked designs. These early concepts require further development which isn’t included in our basic design services before becoming fully build-able designs. However, we try to make sure our clients are aware of this fact and often provide additional notes in the concept package that point to specific areas that need more study.

We make certain assumptions based on standard design and construction practices but these assumptions need to be reviewed and verified. Structural assumptions like floor and roof thicknesses, floor to floor heights, and foundation design are all examples of items that need local and specific review. As do thermal insulation requirements, location of water resistant barrier, and waterproofing/drainage details. These are a few of the items we develop and study in the later design development phase if/when we provide those design services.

Onward to Construction

Fast forward to now: Our clients have since pulled a building permit to start work on the project. They had a local engineer review the roof design. Based on their desire to build the structure themselves and given the snow loads in the area, the engineer suggested roof trusses instead of rafter framing. Each truss would be unique but the roof would be a lot easier to build, saving construction time with the quickly approaching early winter season.

The roof trusses will ultimately be more expensive, but the time savings and simplification of construction are worth it to our client.

As for the impact on design: The overall design intent stays the same. The only difference is a deeper roof assembly and the removal of the central post which is actually better in the end. All in all, a good strategy and a win for our client.

Over to you…

Most of our design thinking for this project was based on the principles we mentioned in our post: Travel Journal: Design Observations of a Simple Modern Cabin.  Check it out if you haven’t had the chance yet.

This is just one example of how we bring good design to people like you. For these homeowners, we were able to help them design an off-grid, modern home that is cost-effective, easy to construct, and unique in form, yet still fits in the local context. Now, our clients can continue their childhood tradition of returning to this lake for many years to come.

If you’d like help creating a thoughtful, well-designed concept for your next exciting project, check out our Concept Design page where you can find more about our process and how we can help you.