This vacation home, designed by Coates Design Architects to be net-zero, lies in a historic mining area in Washington State’s Cascade mountains, USA. The climate is extremely cold and snowy in the winter months and scorching in the summer. Situated in a master-planned resort community, the house blends sustainable modern architecture with reclaimed rustic materials.
The extreme weather conditions challenged Coates Design Architects to create a comfortable environment without the use of traditional energy consumptive cooling and heating systems. The team sited the building to take advantage of passive solar strategies and created an abundance of the sloped roof to support a 10 kWh PV solar panel array. This system is designed to provide all of the electricity required by the home and is engineered to include a Tesla Powerwall. The Powerwall will store extra electricity and will maintain functionality during power outages as well as a vehicle charging station for the owners’ electric cars.
An entry vestibule and mud room conserves energy and creates an elegant entry into the main living space. This self-contained room serves double duty as a special place to welcome visitors and an air lock to keep the outdoor elements contained. Wintertime’s chilly drafts and summer’s excessive heat are kept at bay with this simple solution.
The dramatic cantilevered roof planes utilize passive solar strategies by barring the summer sun and heat yet inviting in the winter sunshine. These broad overhangs also create covered outdoor space, much coveted in this climate, and a sheltered entry experience. Vaulted ceilings in the main living and dining area are supported by exposed steel and wood structural elements, and floor-to-ceiling windows look out on the landscape beyond. A large board formed concrete chimney commands attention as the focal point of the main living area. This solid mass, along with areas of the concrete floor, serves also as a thermal heat sink to help maintain a stable and comfortable temperature inside.
There are two primary bedroom suites and a bunk room in the main house to accommodate family members. A separate bunk house has space for recreation and an additional bedroom suite. The two-car garage features an electric vehicle charging station, a wine cellar, and plenty of storage.
