phinney ridge backyard cottage
We have been working with a couple who are planning on moving out of the original house, and into a new backyard cottage. We’re pushing the limits within the ordinance–almost exactly 800 square feet–in order to build a 2 bed room, bath and a half cottage. Although the house is small, the spaces inside feel just right. And we’ll be able to include a lot of high finish touches and crisp details because we aren’t spending money on lots of square footage. Having a finite perimeter and volume really focuses the mind on the priorities of the design.
The character of the house the client’s wanted is very craftsman and the scale and roofline fits right in with the neighborhood in general–certainly not the scary developer vision that opponents of the ordinance summoned during the public hearings. It reinforces that these projects are for people with a vested interest in both their property and their neighborhood and are very sensitive to the impact on their neighbors.
Here is another view which shows off the walkout patio off the dining space, the entry mudroom and the band of windows that wrap the living room, dining and kitchen:
seattle backyard cottage in phinney ridge
We are also going to integrate a rain water harvesting system, radiant floors on a super efficient combination boiler, vaulted ceiling upstairs, and a extra height crawlspace with a rat slab to make up for some of the storage space lost in the downsizing. For floor plans, follow the jump below:
We have been working on a house remodel in Sammamish for the last year and a half and it is finally closing in on completion, so I fiqured I post some construction photos from my site visit this morning. One my favorite elements is a screen porch off the dining room, partially because it is a great example of the client’s vital participation in the process, and part because it is going to be such a wonderful place to hang out. The screen porch was born in programming when we were discussing how half the family loved hanging out outdoors, but the other half hated the bugs. In order to keep the family together, the screen porch was the simple solution. Connected to the dining room via a large panel siding door, framed with care so that the structure is all exposed, it cuts to the soul of the house they wanted: engaged with the outdoors, family-centric, with a elegant simplicity that highlighted the materials and craft.
The family room is also starting to come together. The room has a band of 6′ windows that wrap around three walls with bench seats below, a slate fireplace, and a coffered ceiling. The bench seats will have leather cushions and storage underneath for games etc, making it the perfect cozy hang out spot.