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Coal Miner’s Refuge Has a Low Carbon Footprint

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From Johnston Architects in Seattle comes this house for two families that draws on an industrial vernacular to build a sustainably small weekend retreat in Mazama, Washington.

The Miner’s Refuge has an entryway reminiscent of the previous history of mining in the valley and the materials used adapt the rural industrial vernacular to use in a modern home.

The simplest of layouts serves two families in under 1900 square feet. Reminiscent of a mining shaft, a long linear circulation corridor connects the entire length to access the living and sleeping spaces for both families.

Al fresco dining extends the small space out into the vast outdoors. A rainwater harvesting gutter is suspended below the roof line

Size is one factor in building green, and the smaller a house can be – the better. Sharing space between the two families is an unusual but effective way to effectively halve both families’ carbon footprints.

So visiting children or guests will share the bunk room, up stairs behind the woodstove, that can be partitioned off  from the living room when in use.

Comfort is not sacrificed by the frugal arrangement. When not used by visitors, the warm bunk room behind the wood stove doubles as a reading nook that extends the living room.

The use of sustainable materials is another factor. The type of economical standing seam metal roofing seen in industrial applications for roofs, is used for the sides as well. Steel is the most recyclable material there is. We are still recycling steel first smelted in Julius Caesar’s time.

Plentiful regional wood is also used in building the shared house. Its modest siting at the base of the hillside, tucked into the tree line, takes advantage of the surrounding views – while not becoming one.

Via Arch Daily