Modern Small Multi-Family House | Big Mouth House | Squire Park | Seattle | Washington | Be Architectureest Practic

Big Mouth House is a small multi-family project developed collaboratively between three architects and friends working together.

Big Mouth House received it’s namesake when a close friend observed the construction and exclaimed that house resembled Japan’s beloved Domo mascot then promptly crafted this endearing collage.

Each unit was carefully considered as a flexible urban home with a studio space on the lower level ADU that could be used as an income generator for the owners and roof deck up top to capture the city views to the West. The massing of the project is very simple, with all three units pushed North on the narrow site, in order to provide a shared walkway with planted garden spaces along the South side. All three units have entries off the shared walk, giving a neighborly and connected feel to the homes and gardens. The pathway stretches from the front sidewalk to the communal parking area in the rear alley.

The vertical metal panel cladding unites the three homes, creating a taut skin and striking form, and is continued in a 2×2 black painted fencing that surrounds the site. Custom pink powder coated panels and railings provide a pop of color that enlivens the front and side facades. Entries of each unit are painted with the bright accent and boast custom pink unit signage.......more

Metal Clad Wall Cabin | Klickitat Cabin | Washington | MINARIK ARCHITECTURE

This cabin sits on the Washington side of the Columbia River on a steep sloping and very dry site, with views to Mt. Hood. Due to the risk of wildfires, one of the primary goals was for the exterior to be entirely non-combustible. All materials (even the type of wood) were chosen for their fire resistance. The main cabin and exterior walking surfaces were also elevated to mitigate the risk of grass fires. This also reduces disruption to the native grasses and wildflowers. The cabin footprint is 20’ x 20’ with a simple and efficient interior and a primary focus to Mt. Hood. Large sliding exterior shutters were installed to provide security, but also to act as solar shading devices. Through the use of passive ventilation, shading, a soapstone wood burning stove, and concrete floor for thermal mass, the energy usage is minimal. Future plans to add a solar array to the roof would completely isolate itself from the power grid.......more

Metal Skin House | Venice Residence | Venice | California | Kevin Daly Architects

The primary design challenges were to reconsider the building structures and allow shared use by an extended family while maintaining varying levels of privacy. The two story façade facing the courtyard became entirely glazed, which is in turn shaded by a folding, perforated metal skin that rests on an aluminum exoskeleton.

This perforated skin and supporting aluminum armature is mirrored across the courtyard by a folding enclosure surrounding the garage apartment. Only these building surfaces extend into and float above the courtyard. Primarily designed as sun shades, they provide privacy and filtered natural light into the main living spaces of the house and apartment. In addition they form the support structure for balconies that extend from the master bedroom of the main house and the apartment to allow family members to see each other across the property......more

Modern Metal Cladding Wall Guest House | Guest House on a Lake | Washington | Robert Hutchison Architecture

The guest house serves as a simple retreat overlooking Lake Washington on the western shore of Mercer Island, with an open living, kitchen and dining room on the main floor, and a bedroom with a large roof deck on the upper level. Sited as close to the lake as permitted by code, the structure is elevated above a patio to preserve the flat portion of the site for outdoor use. A flat-seam copper cladding system serves the multiple roles of soffit, siding and roofing........more