Cape Russell Retreat

What were the circumstances of receiving the commission for this project?

We had recently completed a downtown office space for a marketing group representing exclusively companies with a focus on sustainability when the president of the company contacted us regarding a search for lakefront property. After purchasing the property, we were asked to design a small, low-impact retreat for weekend use which would precede the design and construction of a house on the property.

Can you describe your design process for the building?

The owner’s focus on sustainability within her professional life led to a low-impact, off-the-grid design mandate.  Research led us to two consultant/subcontractors who assisted with the design of the solar and rainwater harvesting systems early on in the process and all further design decisions were impacted heavily by this approach.  Additionally we worked very closely during the design process with the steel and carpentry subcontractors to develop systems which could be easily transported and erected on site with minimal impact to this important watershed.

How does the completed building compare to the project as designed? Were there any dramatic changes between the two and/or lessons learned during construction?

Critical to the success of this project was a constant focus on the process of construction. All trades were selected early and integrated into the design team which limited surprises typically encountered during construction. Some elements of the project, including the structural cedar skin, were systemized for shop fabrication allowing mockups to easily be created and evaluated prior to final fabrication and delivery to the site.

How does the building compare to other projects in your office, be it the same or other building types?

Our firm does not specialize in any particular building type. Each project is evaluated and developed according to individual conditions or constraints specific to the project. In this way the design approach of this project is very similar in terms of methodology with most projects completed by our office. A close relationship with building trades early on is common with our projects allowing us to study and evaluate aspects and components at full scale prior to fabrication.

Are there any new/upcoming projects in your office that this building's design and construction has influenced?

We are currently designing a 1,200 square foot pavilion for a public park which will borrow from knowledge gained through this process. Additionally we are starting the design of a 1,400 square foot house for the same client on the same piece of property which will likely have characteristics similar to Cape Russell Retreat.

E-mail interview conducted by John Hill