We need to hire an architect to design the backyard cottage we want to build at [Brandon](/Brandon) and [Shelley](/Shelley)'s house, and possibly other future components of the [SolSeedVillage](/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](http://www.swiftarch.com/) ... they did the [Pocket House](http://www.pockethousepdx.com)
- 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](http://www.orangesplot.net/) ... they did [Ruth's Garden Cottages](http://orangesplotllc.blogspot.com/2010/02/ruths-garden-cottages.html)
- 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](http://seed-architecture.com) (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](http://portlandalternativedwellings.com)?
- 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](http://portlandgardencottages.com) ... [article](http://www.oregonlive.com/hg/index.ssf/2008/10/found_materials_give_these_new.html) ... contacted seeking contact information
- [christine yun](http://www.linkedin.com/pub/christine-yun/7/a0/212) with [Carleton Hart](http://www.carletonhart.com/)
- http://www.communitecture.net