Since we first started Method Homes, we have had a good amount of interest in the San Juan Islands, for our modern prefab homes. Our process of modern modular building is ideal for the islands, being built with fixed costs and predictable completion dates on the main land, and then shipped out to the site while still utilizing local island trades for a good amount of the site work. We are excited to finally have begun construction on a home for Orcas Island. The design began from the basic Method Cabin floor plan, but became customized in order to deal with the steep rocky sloped lot.The home will be positioned on concrete and steel columns, with four water tanks for the owners water catchment system tucked beneath. Also tucked below the main floors will be a mechanical room that will house the mechanical equipment to run the entire house, along with solar preheat and the radiant heating system. The home will be LEED certified, which level has not been determined as of yet. The home will also incorporate all the other basic green components that Method always includes.Attached to this blog post are a couple elevation pictures of the home courtesy Prentiss + Balance + Wickline Architects and some of the first pics of the construction in our shop. We'll try and keep you updated!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28SWiBVl4pA
After a couple months in our shop, I have to say the newest Method Cabin looks WAY better sitting on its lakeside site. The set went off without a hitch, taking the full estimated 8 hours. The foundation and framing were near perfect, and the home looks like it's been there forever...according to numerous spectators, neighbors and family. The Method team is spending a few days on site helping the homeowner/general contractor (who has done an incredible job running his own project) finish some details on the home before we demobilize out of there. For now here are some pictures to check out. The owner liked the color of the original Method Cabin so much, they chose it for there home as well....so don't get confused!Being as I am still away from any type of high-speed internet, I only have time to let a few pictures download....enjoy for now. Keep in mind this is what the home looks like just 8 hours after arriving to the site.
Spencer Lake is done and set for delivery this week....set day on Friday. Here are some pics of the site and the home sitting in our custom prefab shop.More updates to come but for now a quick one:-Orcas Island project starts Aug.9th-Lid Park still waiting for City of Seattle permits...yikes! Not the ideal way for the process to go but for those of you who are waiting on this one, it will be set and complete very soon.
After a few weeks of construction, we are done framing and will be moving into sub trades this week. Here are some pictures of the progress. Spencer Lake is a Method Cabin model 1, perched on a medium bank waterfront lot on Spencer Lake near Olympia WA. The home features a custom master bedroom module which is offset and turned to face slightly away from the main portion of the home, while still capturing the dramatic views. The home will have a site built daylight basement with bunk room and media room. The set date for this home is scheduled sometime around the end of July. We'll keep you posted.
Last night Method and Infinity Real Estate hosted an event to announce the winners of the Backyard Cottage Design Challenge we sponsored. We at Method feel that backyard cottages, which are now allowed in Seattle city wide, are a great solution to increasing density in Seattle's residential zones that make up around 2/3 of the city and we are honored to be involved in hosting the event.Method would like to thank all of the participants, entrants, judges and people who attended. We are grateful for all of the interest and time everyone put into making the design challenge a success. We are amazed by the quality of all of the work and look forward to displaying all of the entries on a special section of the website shortly.Without further adieu:Overall Best in Show: Backyard Box by Blip DesignBest Design Execution: HOMB Modular**Disclaimer: The principals of Method Homes are principals in HOMB Modular and the results of the design challenge were determined by independent judges selected by Infinity Real Estate.Runner Up Best Design Execution: Gist ArchitectureMost Adaptable: microhouse smart module by MicrohouseMost Innovative: AREA_ 10 BIOSPHERE REMIX by Baldwin West Design baldwinwest@comcast.nethttp://www.flickr.com/photos/44522187@N04/ Most Sustainable: Backyard Box by Blip Design
Design Showcase: Sustainable Backyard CottagesSave the date - May 24th - for one of the most innovative housing events in Seattle this summer.Method Homes and Infiniti RED have joined forces to promote public awareness around one of Seattle’s most affordable infill housing options by hosting the Backyard Cottage Design Challenge Showcase.This event will showcase the work of over 35 local architects and designers who are combining good design with livability and sustainability. Event goers will have the opportunity to view all design challenge entries, meet the designers, participate in the awards ceremony, and enjoy food and drink. Design challenge winners will be selected by a jury of public and professional designers.Awards will be given for the following 5 categories:1. Overall Best Design2. Honorable Mention for Overall Best Design3. Most Innovative4. Most Sustainable5. Most Adaptable (to different sites and programs)Backyard cottages can be built on city lots over 4000sf and are a more sustainable infill option for adding density to the urban landscape. Many homeowners are now exploring constructing these for additional income, extended family or downsizing. We encourage those interested to come & meet the top designers of Seattle’s backyard cottages.Location: SPACE: 7601 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle 98103Date and Time: May 24th – Doors open at 5:30pmEntry: Free & open to the publicJurors include:Seattle City Planning Commissioner, David CutlerPrinciple of Hybrid Architecture, Robert HumbleO’Brien and Company, Colleen GrollAdvisor to the judges:Seattle City Planner, Andrea PetzelFor more information Contact:Brian Abramson. 206.790.2852. brian@methodhomes.net. Method Homes offers sustainability-built, energy efficient, healthy and durable pre-fabricated dwellings with a focus on high quality craftsmanship and client satisfaction.Eva Otto. 206.235.6925. eva@infinitiRED.com. Infiniti RED (Real Estate & Development) is a Seattle-based real estate & consulting firm with an emphasis on next generation efficient green housing.
Yesterday the two 58' Lid Park modules were moved to another location in our shop to receive finishing touches and make room for our next Method Cabin, which framing for began yesterday. More on that project, appropriately named Spencer Lake to come. For now here are some updated pics of Lid Park. Lid Park is scheduled to leave our shop sometime in June depending on when the site work will be completed. In these pics you can see the modules for the first time from a distance and begin to visualize how they will lay out on site. The side of the modules that is visible in these shots is what will be the southern elevation of the home, overlooking the park across the street. The park across the street is essentially directly above the first I-90 tunnel as you head east out of the city of Seattle. The module with the covered cedar deck is the upper master bedroom module, complete with two decks, one being the large rooftop deck visible in these images. You should be able to see the city from this upper level. Either way the southern exposed, territorial view from this lot will be great. The upper master bedroom module features a large custom bath with walk-in tile shower and custom concrete trough with double wall faucet. It also features a large walk-in closet and main sleeping/bedroom area with additional Juliet balcony. The module below will have an additional two decks, one off of the kitchen/dining area and the other another matching Juliet balcony off of the living. The kitchen features custom Black Walnut cabinetry and high end appliances. The home has a strand woven Mocha from Bamboo Hardwoods throughout. Finishing touches on-site will include custom steel railings and metal siding. Stay tuned for a another post identifying the set date. Enjoy the pics.
