Stone Solar Studio West Seattle DADU Building, Washington NODE Prefab House, Architecture Photos

Stone Solar Studio West Seattle

NODE prefab Residence in WA: Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit – design by Wittman Estes Architecture + Landscape

July 6, 2019

Stone Solar Studio West Seattle, Washington

Design: Wittman Estes Architecture + Landscapes

Location: Seattle, Washington, USA

Charred using the traditional Japanese wood preservation technique called shou sugi ban, the locally sourced cedar planks provide the home with an attractive, low-maintenance facade:

When Seattle homeowner Karen Stone reached out to architect Matt Wittman of the local firm Wittman Estes to design and build an affordable, one-bedroom studio in her backyard, the project produced more than just an eco-friendly prefab on a budget.

The windows are Anderson100 Fibrex Windows:

Stone Solar Studio is a West Seattle NODE prefab one-bedroom studio situated near a main house on a large lot. The client wanted a second unit to create an additional rental income that would be self-sustaining and affordable, generating economic and environmental productivity.

A south-facing solar roof provides all of the energy for the studio and the main house. The large windows, wood walkways, and small footprint create a building defined by simplicity as much as its connection to people and nature.

It is the city’s first DADU registered with the International Futures Institute’s zero energy certification. The studio’s innovative construction method allowed the studio to be built at a lower cost than traditional building techniques.

The studio demonstrates how modern building techniques can create human spaces, filled with light and warm materials, and achieve a high level of environmental sustainability and was designed for NODE and the client by Wittman Estes Architecture + Landscape.

An Alvar Aalto stool serves as a side table in the bedroom. The north-facing window brings in ample natural light:

Not only did Stone’s unit—dubbed Solar Studio after its solar rooftop panels—become the first in a series of prefab designs crafted for NODE (www.node.eco), a prefab tech company that’s making well designed, carbon negative, non-toxic homes easily accessible, but the backyard studio also became the city’s first DADU (Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit) with the International Living Futures Institute’s (IFLI) zero energy certification.

The compact bathroom is equipped with low-flow fixtures, such as this D-Code sink by Duravit:

The ILFI has developed and promotes the highest standards in the built environment for sustainability and health.

The compact kitchen includes Whirlpool appliances: wall oven, cooktop, dishwasher, and refrigerator:

“NODE is developing an assembly system for homes, increasing quality while reducing time and cost, delivering good design and deep sustainability with a guaranteed price and schedule – something you just can’t do with conventional construction” says Don Bunnell, NODE’s co-founder.

Locally sourced, low-emitting materials were used inside and out. The floors throughout are bamboo:

Wittman Estes designed the raw carbon steel shelving:

In addition to producing solar energy, the Solar Studio also generates side income for Stone, who lists the one-bedroom unit on AirBnB.

The living room is simply furnished with an IKEA cowhide rug, a France and Son floor lamp, a replica of the Hans Wegner CH07 Lounge Chair, and tropical plants for a pop of color:

“As a system of components, the entire home can be shipped almost anywhere and assembled in days,” Wittman says.

“The simplicity of the home embodies a ‘poetic pragmatism’, believing that good design can be accessible to anyone,” says Matt Wittman.

The dining room features a tulip-style dining table with Modernica shell chairs:

Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit West Seattle – Building Information

Project Credits
Builder: NODE, Don Bunnell
Design: Wittman Estes Architecture + Landscape with NODE
Architect: Wittman Estes Architecture + Landscape
Landscape: Wittman Estes Architecture + Landscape

The doors are Fiberglass ThermaTru.

Photographer: Andrew Pogue

Stone Solar Studio in West Seattle, Washington images / information received 060719

Location: West Seattle, Washington, USA

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