Category Archives: architecture

Modernist style construction in the Northwest

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The post below is an email I sent one of my clients looking for a modernist style home in the Bellevue, WA area.
Let’s start off first with Roger Newell’s website, specifically the home you looked at just off Coal Creek Parkway. The unique thing about this home is it utilizes a lot of commercial construction design and products, so on a cost-per-foot basis it might be one of the cheaper options to build. However, I don’t know how that pencils out once you add the architects fees.  I’d suggest that you setup a meeting with Mr. Newell to talk more about your design goals and realistic budget. As I’m neither an architect or a builder I’m certain that he may be able to point you to more resources than what I’m providing here.

The style of homes you like are out of the Bauhaus influence that started in the 1920′s — flat roofs, cubic shapes and lots of windows are typical of this style. While I’m not sure if it’s an actual architectural term, a lot of magazines I read and websites with these types of homes refer to this as modernist architecture.

One of the sites that really likes this term is http://www.fabprefab.com/. This site has a lot of great references and pointers to more information about prefab modern homes.  As they put it in their glossary, “modernist” refers to a particular style of architecture which is influenced (to varying degrees) by the work of Bauhaus and International Style.This is a tricky definition because it can imply reverence for some of the most brutal work of the 20th Century. fabprefab is focused on single-family dwellings and therefore embraces elements of the “modernist” philosophy and form.

Most of the houses I’ll be adding links to here are either panelized construction (built in a factory and shipped as 2 dimensional panels) or modular homes (built in factory and shipped in 3 dimensional modules). Fabprefam.com has an excellent summary on the available designs but I thought I’d list my favorites below:
Prefab Homes

Builders

  • Construction Resource Group, Redmond WA
    they no longer seem to have an active website but they built the first Glide House for Sunset Magazine. Hopefully still in business but I don’t have any contact information for them. 
  • Empyrean International, LLC
    They have a couple lines of prefab homes they rep including the FlatPak House.
    Empryrean’s website is called “The Dwell” homes after Dwell Magazine which features a lot of modernist architecture. You should pick up a copy.

So how do I know about all these resources?   I picked up a copy of Dwell Magazine a year ago when they reviewed the FlatPak House.  I’ve been a fan of Bauhaus/modernist ever since, hoping to build my own some day.

This is not your father’s woodshed

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hmphoto3I’m not talking about the steel side or rubber maid monstrosity of ugliness you pick up at Home Depot. Nope, these are modern architecture with designer finishes. I’ve been thinking about writing this article ever since I saw the well designed sheds by Coast Cabins at the home show a year ago. A recent article in Business Week on the same topic spurred me to get around to it. I’ve often thought of adding more space to my existing home (especially since my son came along – he’s 5 months now) but not really in the budget range yet for the massive remodel I’d like to do. So I thought about putting up one of these sheds as an office and/or guest space. No waiting weeks for contractors, off-track budgets and even better – no permits.

  • These still fall under local ordinances or CC&Rs for outbuildings, so you need to check your neighborhood rules.
  • In King County you can do up to 200 square feet without a permit
  • I live in the City of Bellevue where it is up to 120 square feet without a permit

shed 10 12 image01If you want to go a little more contemporary, there’s a great system designed by architect Michael Graves for Target (yes, that Target — with the bull’s-eye). Or if you like modern ala The Dwell home, check out modern-shed.com,

To some people this might seem a bit trashy, but as the Business Week article said “just think of it as a backyard room“. Me — I’m thinking of heading to the woodshed. )

Took a walk through Danielson Grove complex built by The Cottage Company

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I’ve read a lot about this builder in the Seattle Times, Metropolitan Living, Sunset Magazine and who knows where else — but today was my first look up close and personal. I’m really impressed with the concept: built green, high-density with a community feel. The grounds where wonderful and the craftsman/cottage architecture is always a hit here in the Northwest.

Jim Soules, owner of the Cottage Company just happened to be onsite waiting for a delivery so I had a chance to talk with him. Apparently there next build is underway in Redmond already and they’ll have some larger units in this one — 3 Bedroom plus. Really nice guy to talk with and I hope to do some follow up articles about his background and motivation for the company.