We’ve completed the second round of design on our CAST architecture case study backyard cottage.
The plan has been fine tuned to optimize it for advanced framing. We adjusted the spaces to work better with Kate and Ric’s needs and have started looking at potential materials and finishes.
We’ve also started talking about systems – at this point everything is on the table, solar hot water, energy efficient boiler, hydronic floor heating systems, rainwater cistern for flushing the toilets and watering the yard, super insulated walls…
I suspect that our choices will narrow as the reality of our budget forces us to separate the wheat from the chaff. Right now however, the possibilities seem limitless!
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speaking of systems, have you guys kicked around the idea of passivhaus for this project? or going completely passive and skipping mech. altogethor?
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Mike — Glad you mention it. We’ve had discussions with James Jenkins of Passive House Northwest, and Passive House seems not only desirable but achievable. Current plan is to build super tight with radiant wall units for heat, possibly coupled to a central boiler for the main house as well. Thanks! Ric
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i know james from my volunteering w/ PHnw. glad to hear you guys are looking into it.
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I’m a graphic designer who lives in a 900 sq ft ‘cottage’ built in 2008. I’ve always been interested in compact sized homes, and would like the opportunity to see your designs in person. Please let me know if that is possible. Thanks.
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Leo -
Backyard cottages tie in nicely with my love of small space design too… My first home was a 550 sq. ft. cottage in Ballard that my wife and I renovated over the course of 8 years or so… I was, ironically, working as a graphic designer at the time and the work we did on the home pushed me towards architecture. That particular home was profiled in NW home magazine article in 2008 – “Small and Smart”. You can read the article here: http://www.castarchitecture.com/profile/pdf/small_and_smart.pdfCAST Architecture currently has two backyard cottages under construction but nothing completed yet. We may try and arrange a tour or open house for interested parties when they are completed, so check back soon… Are you considering building one?
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