2011 was good, but 2012 is going to be much better!

Stefan, Tim and I will be set up on the main floor (room 1).  Drop by and see us!

We’ve had a booth for eight or nine years, and it’s always a good show–lots of new products, and a chance to talk with contractors, architects, etc in a no-pressure atmosphere.

Tim Hammer

In December, Stefan and I asked Tim to become a full partner in CAST architecture.  Tim has been with us since 2006, and has done some fantastic work, including the Artalejo-Lacas, Anderson and Bookloft Residences.

Tim’s work has been influenced by his interest in traditional Japanese architecture, small space design and Urban density issues. His path has been fueled by an 18-month research scholarship to study urban housing in Japan while a graduate student. This interest has most recently manifested itself in his efforts advocating for the passage of the Seattle Backyard Cottage ordinance. He is currently engaged in the design of efficient and elegant homes and cottages in various Seattle neighborhoods.

Tim is a registered architect in the State of Washington. He received a master of Architecture from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Art and Design from Montana State University.

Saratoga Modern–exterior from backyard

Set in the Saratoga, California suburbs, this house is a complete reboot of a 1969 faux colonial.  We’re stripping away the historical pastiche, and focusing the design on nearly seamless indoor/outdoor living.  Wrapping the house is a stone terrace and arcade which defines a new dining space, lounge area and a series of gardens.  It screens the intense solar exposure, and reinforces the horizontal in keeping with the City’s very restrictive planning regulations.

Seamless transition from terrace dining space to new kitchen, with indirect lighting in skylight slot to wash the cabinet wall

The palette of natural materials is pretty rich, but understated, using changes in texture and shadow.  We’ll be using a light colored, hard limestone, called Fiore from Maidenstone.  We’ll use a split face texture for the arcade columns, hammered tile for the outdoor terrace, and a brushed finish for the interior tile.  The cabinetry and trim will be mostly walnut slab and panels.

The slot skylight washes the walnut cabinet wall in light. The new staircase is a fun mix of limestone, glass and steel.

More information and photos after the jump…

The arcade makes a transition space between the house and the street, with a porch and courtyard garden.

The palette is earthy and warm. Almost the whole backyard side of the house slides open.

We're opening up the interior, at the same time, created a bit of distance for a play room at the end of the house.

Street view

We’ve been investigating what the Urban Olympic project would look like as an 27 unit apartment building.  One potentially excited twist on the building is that we have split the bulk into two volumes with a 18′ wide courtyard atrium.  The atrium and circulation are exterior, so we can apply another 2000 S.F.for an extra 3 units and still come in under the FAR limit.

We also did a first run at some energy modeling, using Archicad’s EcoDesigner program, and feel that given the bulk it would be fairly straight forward to achieve the Passive House standard, but the return on investment is better if we design to the envelop to Washington State Energy Code, add solar hot water, switch the lighting to LEDs, and add an ERV.

Join us tonight at Future Shack 2011 for another evening of great dialogue about houses.  Last year I participated in the ‘Speed-Date‘—seven minutes to lay out the project and have a design brainstorm, then on to the next architect.  It was a blast, and this year Tim will be sitting in for me.

After Speed Date Design, there will be a presentation of innovative ideas in housing.

Our entry, Urban Olympic, is a nine unit townhouse complex designed to use 90% less energy that typical code compliance housing.  See our entries over the last few years : 2011, 2009

It is at Fisher Pavillion in the Seattle Center, starting at 5 pm.

I was very pleased with both the attendance and the response!

If you have questions about pro bono service, how to sign up, or would like to have me come to your non-profit and answer questions about how to capitalize on the amazing expertise of local design professionals, please contact me at matt@castarchitecture.com.

cottage interior

The Widner Cottage is going to be open to the public twice this summer for tours:

First, the Phinney Neighborhood Association’s Home and Garden Tour will roll through on June 12th, from 11-4 pm (see link).

Second, the Cottage will be featured as the AIA Seattle’s Open House on July 17th from noon to 3 pm.  More information here.  As part of the tour, the house will be published in Seattle Magazine, in the Northwest Home section in July.

tansu cabinet stairs

I’m trying to organize a tour of recently completed backyard cottages in the month of June.  If you have one that you’d like to have considered for the tour, please contact me!

Matt@CASTarchitecture.com