We need to hire an architect to design the backyard cottage we want to build at Brandon and Shelley's house, and possibly other future components of the SolSeedVillage as well. Here are some guiding principles that will help us choose the right person or firm:
- Experience with green building projects and standards.
- Passive temperature control and ventilation designs
- Insulation, "super-windows"
- Solar arrays (PV and hot water)
- Rainwater collection
- Possibly composting toilets
- Possibly small-scale wind power
- Focus on making a comfortable, inviting space, despite the size constraints.
- Experience with other small cottages is a plus
- Able to balance livability, durability, and the green building aspects.
- Willing to accept input from stakeholders (including neighbors?) on the cottage's exterior appearance and how it will fit into its surroundings.
- Avoids too much focus on making an artistic statement
- Affordable rates for design work.
Prebuilt or Ready Made Plans
- http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/
Potential Architects
- Swift Architecture ... they did the Pocket House
- Green building experience: green roofs, PV systems, recycled materials, daylighting, natural/passive ventilation, stormwater infiltration (rain gardens?), insulation
- Size constraints: have built small living spaces before
- Balance: not sure, they do talk about "checks and balances of practicality"
- Stakeholders: "We see ourselves as the vehicle for your ideas"
- Rates: unknown
- Orange Splot LLC ... they did Ruth's Garden Cottages
- Green building experience: "salvaged and sustainably produced building materials," graywater recycling, PV and solar thermal, tankless water heater, EnergyStar, insulation, edible landscaping
- Size constraints: have built small living spaces before
- Balance: focus on spaces for community/cohousing model, as well as "durable construction materials"
- Stakeholders: "Provide opportunities for participation in design by the future residents, especially with respect to interior and exterior common spaces"
- Rates: "Include units more affordable than are typically produced in the market" (maybe only referring to large cohousing projects here?)
- Seed Architecture + Construction (they sometimes do the construction too!)
- Green building experience: "super-insulated ICF envelope," green roofs, passive heating/cooling, HRV (heat-recovery ventilator?), radiant floor heating, "whole-house automation system to manage resource use," natural light, local recycled materials and materials-use minimization, bamboo, dual-flush toilets, tankless water heater, PV, rainwater reuse
- Members of the US and Cascadia Green Building Councils
- "Designed to exceed LEED-H platinum, [the Zoom House] development is aimed to achieve Cascadia's Living Building Challange of zero footprint."
- Size constraints: no apparent tiny-house experience
- Balance: aesthetics/views with green building features, not sure about other aspects
- Stakeholders: input may be balanced with architects' modernist artistic goals
- Rates: have operated on a "shoestring budget" in some projects, can do "very efficient initial project feasibility and budget estimating"
- Portland Alternative Dwellings?
- Very new, apparently founded in early 2010
- Construction company, but they say "we can work with you to create a PAD that fits your needs."
- Whoever built the Cottages of upper Albina ... article ... contacted seeking contact information
- christine yun with Carleton Hart
- http://www.communitecture.net