example projects
thorburn
This mh-4 has been modified to suit its north-eastern ground-level orientation and north-western second-level orientation. Located in mountain station, above Nelson, BC, it will experience a significant snow load, expressed by its stout canopies. After the house is complete, the owner plans to build a shop linked to the entry via an exterior breezeway.
steeps
The design for the Steeps House was intended to be an optimized solution that could be applied to other sites. The project was a litmus test for our modhouse designs which have some unconventional features and small footprints: do we really think the modhouse designs are practical? Austin scrutinized madhouse by imagining his own life in an mh-4, the basis for the Steeps design. The mh-4 uses a sloping volume with a low-height entry opening to a 1 1/2 - heigh living space with a stair accessing a loft. The loft offers a desk space and a separate bedroom. The roof slope refers not to solar orientation, but to programmatic organization. A secondary canopy is added to respond to solar orientation, including solar electricity generation and rainwater collection.
orchard house
When clients approached us with two beautiful orchard properties near the Berkes House looking for a modest house and a guest house too, we knew the design had to be streamlined to meet the client’s budget. We evaluated siting and developed this linear design.
galbraith de carle cabin
When aspiring owner-builders approached us with the goal of building a modest cabin on a rural, mountainous, and well-treed property, we proposed a 2020 modhouse design. Though the site is rugged, a road was established to a knoll affording a relatively flat site. We recommended a single-level design, minimizing construction heights and scaffolding for owner-builder ease. We identified an option to expand later with a two-storey tower and designated space for that future addition in our siting plan.
We customized this modhouse by exposing laminated veneer lumber (LVL) beams, to be finish sanded. LVLs have an edge grain similar to plywood, so we designed matching plywood cabinetry for a simple, durable, warm, and woody interior