Backyard House / SHED Architecture & Design
© Courtesy of SHED Architecture & Design
Architects: SHED Architecture & Design
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Engineer: HSV Engineers
Contractor: Ambrose Construction
Site Area: 2,980 sf
Constructed Area: 1,960sf
Project Year: 2007-2008
Photographs: Courtesy of SHED Architecture & Design
Located in a central but marginal Seattle neighborhood, the Backyard House is a speculative infill development that takes its name from its site—the subdivided backyard of an existing single family house. The projects fundamental objective, to build an affordable house suited to a broad range of potential buyers, resulted in a program that emphasized economical construction, long term operational efficiency, a limited palette of durable materials, and the creation of bright, naturally lit spaces integrated with the site and views.
The house is situated on the western half of the lot on the edge of a bluff and reached via a driveway that runs through the side yard of the existing house. A mandated parking area that accommodates two cars and common infrastructure such as garbage, recycling and exterior storage creates a buffer between the houses.
floor plans
At the ground floor a series of platforms step down through the interior to define distinct program elements and then re-emerge from the house as a terrace at the edge of the bluff. The intent was to enable inhabitants to experience the topography and for space to flow organically down through the building and its compact site. To define enclosure on these platforms, wall planes and infill glazing are organized to create a sense of both prospect and refuge within the house and site, as well as maximizing access to light in all rooms. A large kitchen window and porch engage the street, and floor to ceiling glazing in the dining and living rooms opens to the western terrace and to the view. Primary walls extend beyond the glazing to focus views and extend the threshold between inside and out. Walls, openings and platforms combine to create interconnected spaces that are open and protected, expansive and secluded.
© Courtesy of SHED Architecture & Design
The wood framed structure on concrete slab foundation contains living spaces, a small office, 3 bedrooms, and 2.5 baths on two floors totaling 1960 SF. The stacked stair continues to the roof level where a storage attic and roof terrace is located. The house provides basic amenities such as clear room planning with access to light, ample storage, and spaces that accommodate basic furniture layouts. Program elements were added or combined in small ways to improve use and function, including a large laundry zone in the second bathroom and an entry bench and mail/phone counter at the main entry. The result is a compact and efficient house that feels generous and integrated with its site and surroundings.
© Courtesy of SHED Architecture & Design
Project detailing and materials were direct, durable and economical. Exterior walls were clad with painted Fiber Cement Panels with areas of wood infill. Aluminum windows were used both for long term durability and to maximize glazing area for interior space. Sheetrock and traditionally detailed wood trim, all painted white, form the low cost background of the interior. The Ikea kitchen cabinets are topped by a counter and backsplash of Milestone cement veneer, a material also used extensively in the bathrooms. Aluminum trim was used at all window sills and mullions and wood paneling was used in the living room to add warmth and to impart a sense of refuge to the space. In every aspect the house strived for maximum design impact with a minimum number of materials and custom details.
© Courtesy of SHED Architecture & Design
Finally, the Backyard house incorporated common sense and affordable, sustainable materials and methods. The structure itself employed advanced framing to reduce wood usage by +/- 30% in combination with BIBS insulation to achieve a thermally efficient envelope. Additional solutions include the use of the stairwell and roof terrace access as a passive cooling and ventilation strategy through the stack effect. In combination with in-floor / radiator hydronic heat, a heat recovery ventilation (HRV) system ensures an efficient heating and ventilation system. Low/no VOC paints and finishes were used exclusively to exceed indoor air quality standards, while dual-flush toilets, Energy Star appliances, were used to minimize water and energy usage over the long term.
Products in this project
Bathroom Equipment: DREAMLINE , DANZE, Duravit, INSINKERATOR, Blanco, Kohler, Toto
- POWDER FAUCET: DLFHD-30141CH by DREAMLINE
- TUB FILLER: D500658T / PARMA by DANZE
- MASTER FAUCET: DLFHD-30141CH by DREAMLINE
- SHOWER FAUCET: D500558 / PARMA by DANZE
- TOILET (10" R.I.): DUR-D14023 by Duravit
- DISPOSAL: COMPACT by INSINKERATOR
- KITCHEN: BLANCO 512-747 by Blanco
- ROUGH IN VALVE: D112000BT by DANZE
- POWDER LAVATORY: #0685600011 by Duravit
- BATHTUB: K-855-R / T FOR 2 by Kohler
- MASTER LAVATORY: DUR-D14007 by Duravit
- AIR SWITCH: STS00 by INSINKERATOR
- TOILET (12" R.I.): CST414M / AQUIA by Toto
- KITCHEN FAUCET: K-647 / SIMPLICE by Kohler
- DRAIN: K-7147-AF by Kohler
Construction materials, Semi-finished materials: WEYERHAEUSER, BALLARD SHEET METAL, CADMAN, Grace Construction Products, CERTAINTEED, INC., Scofield, James Hardie, PRECISION S.M. FAB, DuPont
- JOISTS by WEYERHAEUSER
- MISC ALUMINUM TRIM by BALLARD SHEET METAL
- CONCRETE (WALLS AND SLABS) by CADMAN
- SELF-ADHESIVE FLASHING: VYCOR by Grace Construction Products
- INSULATION: BLOW-IN BLANKET SYSTEM by CERTAINTEED, INC.
- CONCRETE SEALER by Scofield
- PANEL SIDINGX: HARDI PANEL by James Hardie
- METAL FLASHING by PRECISION S.M. FAB
- HOUSE WRAP: TYVEK HOMEWRAP by DuPont
Floor: American Olean, BOMANITE, WINDSOR ONE
- MASTER BATH - TILE AMERICAN: SATIN OLIVE by American Olean
- LAUNDRY BATH - TILE: SATNGLO TRU BLUE by American Olean
- CONCRETE SLAB VENEER: NATURAL GRAY by BOMANITE
- WOOD TRIM by WINDSOR ONE
Heating and Ventilation: BUDERUS, NY THERMAL, MAJESTIC , FANTEC , WIRSBO, PANASONIC
- RADIATOR: BUNDERUS N-11 PANEL by BUDERUS
- BOILER/WATER HEATER: TRINITY - SENTRY 2000 by NY THERMAL
- GAS FIREPLACE: 33-LDVR by MAJESTIC
- HEAT RECOVERY VENTILATOR: SHR 2004 by FANTEC
- RADIANT FLOORS: HEPEX by WIRSBO
- BATHROOM FANS: FV-15VQ4 by PANASONIC
Joinery: FRANK LUMBER , Milgard, Fleetwood Windows & Doors
- DOORS: FLUSH DOORS by FRANK LUMBER
- EXTERIOR WINDOWS: SERIES 920 by Milgard
- SLIDING DOORS: GLACIER SERIES by Fleetwood Windows & Doors
- FULL HT WINDOWS: GLACIER SERIES by Fleetwood Windows & Doors
Kitchen Equipment: Artisan Finishes
- KITCHEN COUNTER, BATHRM WALLS: "MILESTONE" HYBRIDIZED CEMENT by Artisan Finishes
Roof: IB ROOFING SYSTEMS
- ROOF MEMEBRANE by IB ROOFING SYSTEMS
Walls: C2, Sherwin Williams, DALYS
- EXTERIOR DOORS, OUTDOOR CLOSET: FIREBALL by C2
- BODY PAINT: BLACK MAGIC by Sherwin Williams
- WALL ENDS OVERHANG, PORCH, LIVING ROOM SOFFIT: NOODLE by C2
- WOOD STAIN: SEMI TRANSPARENT by DALYS
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I really love this home. The simple moves and the materials create a dynamic little home. I would really like to know the budget for such a home. You say that it is economic and is designed to reduce construction costs, yet you do not provide an idea of the cost. What was your cost per square foot? I would be very interested in learning more about how you attempt to keep costs down.
Thanks.
lovely .. but a huge contrast between the modern outer looks and all the mid century furniture inside.
I like this house and the commitment to decent architecture using modest, off-the-rack materials. Let’s have a lot more of this!
I'd Live Here: Backyard House. http://bit.ly/a7Qirt
The language of this house is timeless.
gotta love the location of this small house :)
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3:43 PM Apr 9th
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