Without going into too much detail, we had a great conversation about the ADU program, it’s shortcomings, and how the city could tweak a few things to improve adoption. We all agree that the city’s code needs some updates, and it’s good to find like-minded folks who see the potential for ADUs in Portland

What I like most about Eric and Beth is that they see the merits of small, efficient design. Their portfolio has some excellent examples of how small, organizational changes can have a profound impact on the efficacy and enjoyment of the home.

In addition to their work, the design duo have some great articles/essays on their site. Here’s one excerpt I found to be particularly compelling:

The fact is that the greenest solution is one that involves the least building possible…

Pretty courageous coming from folks who make their living from building design! Kudos! A while back I wrote an article that discussed the decidedly disturbing trend of “trophy green” – remodeling for the sake of vanity or prestige. It’s great to see building designers who consider the decision to build as a part of the green equation.

Here’s another quote from Beth that I found very fascinating:

Today people in the U.S. live in about three times as much space per capita as they did in the 1950s. Older homes that housed a family of four are now seen as inadequate for two people. One reason for this is that we now bring into our houses many of the activities that once took place outside the home. In addition to sleeping, eating and socializing, many people now expect to have separate places for a media center, home spa, children’s play space, home office, work-out space, party space, laundry facilities, guest room, plus storage for even more options.

The fact is that bigger homes, even very green ones, use significantly more resources than smaller conventional homes. In other words, living well within a smaller space is one of the greenest things you can do.

If you have a moment, check out Eric and Beth’s site. There is some fantastic food for thought, and the two of them seem like great resources for those considering green design in Portland!

There’s a real movement afoot to design sophisticated “sheds” as part of the back yard. These range from small, functional buildings to elaborate artist’s spaced and spare bedrooms. Here are just a few great examples.

Milton Studio, by Timber Design Limited:

Check out the interior!

You can also find some additional resources at the website Shedworking. For the ambitious DIYer, check out Readymade Magazine. They’ve got a new issue for FREE online viewing. You can see all sorts of great designs, and even buy a shed-kit!

A few US-based sources:

Moderncabana

Metro Shed

Modern Shed

The 4N1M sell for around $150 through Radio Shack. The recessed box (SB1) sells for around $90 at Amazon.

There are some other high-end solutions from Inca (allows you to lift the TV into place) and a whole slew of options here (Ergo on Demand). Architect Michael Ross Kersting implimented a lift system quite nicely here.

I’m interested in the idea of using glass panels on the inside of the house to allow more light and create a sense of space. Here’s one idea where the bedroom would have a bank of windows looking into the main living area. Patrick suggested looking for some used industrial windows, which is a great idea.

First Floor (PDF)

Second Floor
Patrick will use these plans, as well as our discussion and feedback, to produce a set of elevation drawings.

1. “Mechanical room” for air compressor and dust collection. Requires ventilation an 220v power for both machines
2. 110v electric drops in ceiling
3. Duct work for dust collection
4. 220v power for table saw, planer and joiner (currently they are 110v but can be rewired). Route cords through floor or ceiling
5. Compressed air lines
6. “Clean Area” office space
7. Deep sink
8. Roll-up door and patio/work area for large projects and outdoor work
9. If possible, a way to spray finishes and other materials with ventilation to outside air.
10. A toilet (if feasible)

I found a fantastic website with some amazing architectural works (Olson Sundberg Kundig out of Seattle). Here’s just a sampling of some ways to handle the division of space:

I like how these screens divide the space while allowing natural light to pass through. At night, the doorway can be closed and serves as a diffused light source.

Here’s another example of the firm’s work:

Giant door/window that pivots on an oversized wheel. Great stuff!

Also featured in this same article is a shot of the kitchen, where storage units are put on wheels. I’m a huge fan of wheels, and just love my coffee table (built on wheels). I remember seeing a bed on wheels at one point – it rolled under a storage area to maximize room space. A sort of alt-murphy bed approach.

I found a great article in the magazine “Small Homes” (a publication of Fine Homebuilding).

In the article, “A Low Budget, High Impact House,” Designer Chris Stebbins talks about the advantage of building with standard-length materials. This house, for example, is built in multiples of 8-foot increments. The overall size is 24′ x 36′. Smart design! Below is an excerpt from the article showing this strategy in action:

The total space ends up around 1700 sq ft, and was built at a cost of $126 per square foot. Nice work!

Another nice idea is the use of “unfinished” lumber – the ceiling joists in the photo below are regular 4×10 lumber that have had the mill marks ground off with a wire wheel. There’s no insulation or drywall in the ceiling – the “roof” of the first floor forms the subfloor of the second story.

Other ideas talked about in the article are maximizing the feeling of space through long site lines and 9′ ceilings (a luxury my ADU may not be able to have!)

Click the photo to see the video of the space in use. It’s great!