Blackwood House

Completed 2017

2,775 square feet

Construction cost withheld

What does a house look and feel like that explores the human desire to have opportunity before them (Prospect) while also being safe (Refuge)? With a beautiful natural site to build on, our client wanted a low maintenance structure that would age into the forest. Every material should be solid, authentic, and develop a rich patina. As for the interior, the instruction was that nothing should be coated or obscured from its authentic self. What you see is what it is.

Chasing the antithesis of cold and sterile, this house is modern and sleek yet roughhewn. With fine woodworking alongside the clean lines of the interior structure, raw and cooked come together in harmony. Like the beauty of the surrounding natural forest, this design places focus on exposed materials in their most basic form. Timber beams throughout the living areas bring the woods inside and provide structure to the rooms. Hidden storage and flowing spaces combine with large, strategically placed windows to allow the forest and natural light to take center stage. With triple glazed windows and careful construction, the interior retains a steady temperature. Photovoltaic panels on the roof of the carport and renewable energy systems employed throughout the house make it net zero.

The building shape itself is deceptively simple, masked by a combination of weathering steel, fiber cement board (Viroc), and black stained cedar (Maibec) on the exterior that creates a complex textile pattern. These exterior finishes show wear with age while effectively shielding the house from the elements. The open carport kept the design within budget and highlighted the timber framing expertise of the builder. The balcony on the second floor encapsulates the theory we started from – you can sit outside, up in the trees, gazing out into the opportunity the forest holds, yet you are protected.

Measure 3: Design for Ecology

The house was designed to eliminate human intrusion into the forest ecology as much as possible, with no non-native plantings on site.

Measure 4: Design for Water

Low-flow fixtures were installed throughout the house, and there is a heat pump water heater. The house is situated in such a way to maintain natural drainage patterns, and the landscaping around the site requires little water.

Measure 6: Design for Energy

This is a fossil fuel-free building which uses renewable energy systems and passive design strategies throughout. It achieves net zero status with features such as airtight construction, triple-glazed windows, and rigorous insulation. There is also a fresh air ventilation system with heat recovery. The projected EUI = 0.

Measure 7: Design for Wellness

Large (and small) windows are incorporated throughout the house, allowing for maximum daylight to enter the space. The fresh air ventilation system maintains a high indoor air quality. The exposed wooden beams in the interior with easy visual access to the forest surrounding the house creates seamless transitions between exterior nature and interior living. The house is formaldehyde-free and contains no EPA chemicals of concern.

Measure 8: Design for Resources

Locally-sourced materials were used where possible. On the exterior, weathering steel, fiber cement board, and black stained cedar will show age but are incredibly durable materials. The same principles applied to interior materials – they will age with a patina but are low maintenance and sturdy. The insulation used has low global warming potential.

Measure 10: Design for Discovery

Every corner of the exterior reveals a different pattern, approach to natural light, and change in texture. The interior contains a multitude of surprises, including a secret room on the upper floor, and a safe room in the basement.