Vashon Dingle
This house, located on an island accessible by ferry from Seattle, exemplifies our hybrid approach to prefabrication and our response to the beautiful Pacific Northwest. It is located on a “dingle,” a little wooded valley leading down to the water.
Early concept sketch
An insulated slab on grade, retaining walls, and rockeries engage the Earth. The second floor is composed of two modules floating over the first-floor structure, made up of wall panels. The roof is also panelized, sitting on the mods, and allowing deep eaves. The roof is reinforced with leaning columns that serve the role of traditional knee braces.
The house is organized to allow a large work room or studio on the first floor near the entry. Living areas are on the upper level, and look both forward to the water and back to the long forested slope with seasonal stream behind. With a footprint equal to that of a house in an urban neighborhood, the vast majority of the property will be untouched and preserved.
The unique combination of mass timber, panels, and modules reveal our commitment to using the right tools in the right ways to achieve the project goals, while facilitating rapid erection on-site. This house will feature a Passive House envelope (super-insulated & airtight with continuous ventilation), vegetated roofs, and composting toilets.
