Modest Cabins and Cottages

I've mentioned elsewhere in this blog my distaste for shared walls. Often the artists' live/work spaces that I come across are warehouse-to-loft conversions. Good for those developers who transform otherwise condemned industrial buildings into habitable quarters, but some people just prefer a little bit more personal space and privacy. This is why I like the idea of individual cabins or cottages. In recent years there has been an upsurge in smart, efficient and well designed prefab dwellings that I am excited about.

MODERN-SHED

A while ago I came across Modern Shed while looking for ideas for building myself a backyard potting shed. Recently I found out about their new larger model; the Dwelling Shed that offers the aesthetics and size of what I have in mind for my development goals. I was really inspired by this little grouping in Port Townsend of their Dwelling Shed accompanied by a couple of the Studio Sheds, to be used as guest quarters.

I even got to see one of their sheds up close at the recent Northwest Flower and Garden Show here in Seattle.

Method Homes

Last summer I was working for Bamboo Hardwoods and had the opportunity to be part of the construction of Method Homes' first cabin. I was involved with the construction of the cabinets and visited the site for install follow-ups. I got to meet the founders, Mark Rylant and Brian Abramson (great guys by the way), and get an up-close look at the place.
The cabin is gorgeous. It epitomizes what I would want in my own home aesthetics. It has a contemporary edge without looking like a giant, stark Tetris piece as with so many modern prefab homes. The marriage of mid-century design with new and classic materials results in a successfully livable "designer" house. And last but not least in my praises for the cabin; "YAY FOR GENEROUS EAVES!"

Also included in the Method Homes models by Balance Associates Architects is the S-M-L Series which consists of a choice of 3 simple structures designed to arrive 95% complete within 2-3 months of purchase. The three models vary in size and orientation and can be utilized on or off the grid as cabins, guest houses, studios, offices, accessory dwelling units or even a small house.






The series highlights Balance’s experience in custom detailing and natural modern aesthetic at prices starting under $100,000.
According to Balance Principal Tom Lenchek, “The concept behind the S-M-L Series is to provide a series of small, smartly designed, prefabricated homes that make it quick and affordable to create a personal retreat without sacrificing style. Intended as a modern refuge, they create a strong connection between interior and exterior spaces through the use of decks and large glazing sections and use sustainable and low maintenance materials and products throughout.”

The Cottage Company

Recently I went with Keaton and Joslin to Whidbey Island to check out the Whidbey Institute. While driving through the town of Langley I noticed a unique little neighborhood. What I stumbled upon were "The Third Street Cottages" by The Cottage Company.

The Cottage Company is a residential development company based in Seattle that builds "pocket neighborhoods" of detached cottages and houses. The homes are carefully designed to work well together, balancing the need for privacy in the context of a community.
This project consists of 8 detached, one bedroom + loft cottages grouped around a garden courtyard with detached parking. The Commons—the heart of the neighborhood. With all paths leading through and all cottages fronting the Commons, this is the locus of community. The cottages also share a timber-framed workshop with a roof terrace, which is used for everything from fixing bicycles and appliances to summer-time barbeques.
Upon further research I found out that the Cottage Company is responsible for a number of these tiny communities such as Conover Commons.

Completed in Summer 2004, the certified 3-Star 'Built Green' community consists of 2-bedroom/2-bath cottage homes surrounding a lushly landscaped garden courtyard and clustered on a 9.5-acre parcel of land. Half the site is a woodland area of native plants and trees. Conover Commons amenities include large covered front porches, private yards surrounded by low fences, a commons building and separate commons room (below).

A Communal Gathering Place with Surrounding Lodging

In September of 2008 I went to Monteray California on a work related trip. I was living in a hotel room for two weeks so inevitably there arose the need for a visit to the laundromat. As typical of the laundering process I had some wash and dry cycle time to burn. There were some donations of outdated reading material and I picked up the August 2007 issue of Sunset Magazine featuring an article about Sunset's Summer Retreat Home.
In essence it was a “cabin” conceptually pulled apart and built on a 2500-square-foot deck. At the center, a modest-sized core structure containing a kitchen and bathroom. Instead of attached bedrooms, there were separate tent cabins (made by a company called Sweetwater Bungalows) that were placed around the edge of the deck.

(Click picture for video)

It seems that so often live/work housing means multi-unit apartments and converted industrial buildings. I've never liked how this often denies occupants of basic "homey" amenities such as a garden, yard or the privacy of no shared walls. What I like so much about the Summer Retreat Home is that it facilitates communal activities while at the same time giving everybody there own private refuge.

A Place for Art and Craft

The Brewery Art Colony in downtown Los Angeles
(click for video)



It's called the Brewery Art Colony because it includes the old Pabst Blue Ribbon breweries. Originally, the idea was to rent space to any kind of business, but the developer decided to open it up as a place for about 300 artists to gather and get creative. Carlson Industries bought the Brewery site in 1980 and spent two years gutting the place, removing large tanks and pipes as it reshaped each building into workable spaces.
The colony sits on 18 acres. Twenty-one former warehouses — with an old Edison power plant chimney dating to 1903 — house work studios, living lofts, one restaurant and endless galleries. Billed as the largest live-and-work artists' colony in the world, there are about 300 studios and 400 to 500 people living here.
"The Brewery colony feels very much like the campus of an alternative college, filled with youthful energy and an artsy experimental subculture...With practitioners of a variety of mediums, the common message seems to be: Create."---Karla S. Blume. "Brewery living spaces put art in the heart of the city" Los Angeles Times, November 6, 2005






This place possesses some key attributes that I really like. More than just a place for artists to create and live, they offer demonstrations and workshops that attract the public and have galleries to sell their crafts.

Ashland Art Works is a non-profit art center in Ashland, Oregon: an artist cooperative with 5 galleries, art studios, and sculpture gardens offering classes and workshops. A working artists’ cooperative on the banks of Ashland Creek, Ashland Art Works consists of historic buildings either renovated on the land, or brought in and rebuilt, all with an artist’s and crafts person’s eye. Today, artists live, work and freely exchange ideas in this tranquil and inspiring environment. The galleries, studios, and workshop complement lovely gardens and winding paths, accented by outdoor sculpture.

Gotta Start Somewhere

I figure I'd start with my first inspirational moment. In 2003 while hiking the Appalachian trail with Keaton and Duncan we stayed in Caratunk Maine. It was at the home of Steve "the ferryman" Longley who runs a small hiking supply store and hostel. He drove us down the road a few miles to get beer at The Forks Resort Center of Northern Outdoors . This rustic lodge is a popular gathering place with a towering stone fireplace, huge timbers, and amenities including a restaurant and brewpub. Adjoining the Lodge is a spacious deck with giant hot tub, sauna & pool. They offer simple one room "Cozy Cabins" all the way to four bedroom fully-appointed luxury "Club Cabins".
I took from that visit an enthusiasm for creating a spot that offered lodging surrounding a central facility that offered a large "great room", food & drink and an outdoor entertaining area.

Other Inspirational Persuits

I want to give a quick "nod" to a friend of mine, Pasha Kalhor of Desmodus Vena. Pasha along with his long time friend and business partner Michael Margoshes, produce finely crafted, small-lot wines through environmetally-conscious practices.
Pasha has a long term goal of creating a destination based around Desmodus Vena. Beyond the wine itself, he hopes someday to provide a winery/tasting room facility with lodging to entertain friends, family and the public. Carry on guys, you do make a damn good wine.