This dense forest cover creates a sense of seclusion and privacy, but also poses a challenge for emergency services. The Northwest Woods neighborhood is a relatively new development, established in the 1980s. It’s characterized by its low-density housing, with an average of 2-3 houses per acre. This low density, coupled with the dense forest cover, creates a unique challenge for emergency services.

The land was mostly flat, with a few scattered trees. The house itself was a modest, two-story structure, built of brick and wood. The yard was small, with a few flower beds and a small, wooden fence. ## Summary

This passage describes a modest, two-story house with a small yard.

The house is designed to maximize natural light and ventilation, with large windows and skylights. The house is built with sustainable materials, including recycled timber and bamboo. This house is a prime example of a modern, sustainable, and energy-efficient home.

1 2 The waterfront setting takes center stage in the main living area (1), with its fully glazed elevation facing the bay offering expansive views (2). Photos © Rafael Gamo A structure with such purity of form meant that the locations and dimensions of rooms were pretty much prescribed. “We presented several schemes to the clients, some more formally expressive,” recalls Yeung. “But they chose the most taut, singular version.” The house became very much an object in the landscape. “We looked at archetypal glass houses, but also at sculptural pieces by artists such as Sol LeWitt,” he adds. Perhaps more akin to those strong matrices by LeWitt than to early glass houses, which sought to make mullions disappear, the Frame House, as it is called, uses a thick steel frame to establish a rhythm for both the interior and exterior. Not quite square, the cedar and glass openings are 11 feet wide by 8 feet high on the lower level, and a foot taller on the upper one, just about reaching the maximum height allowed by code.

This approach, while aesthetically pleasing, presents a unique set of challenges. The aluminum panels, while durable, are susceptible to corrosion. The seams where the panels meet, particularly those exposed to the elements, require meticulous attention to detail and regular maintenance to prevent corrosion.

Indeed, there are parts of the abode that elude a domestic quality— perhaps nowhere more so than in the large basement mechanical room, which is meticulously organized and appears to have the capacity to support a small museum. Radiant heating, a propane boiler, and a heat-recovery unit make up some of the HVAC strategy, along with a 24-kilowatt rooftop solar array. According to the clients, since moving in this past April, monthly electric bills have been below $15—while charging two electric cars in the hydraulic door-fitted garage. Frame House needed to be sited at least 100 feet from the bluff edge, which, because it has slowly been deteriorating, meant getting closer to the road than the previous house on the property had been. Will this new house make it near to the half-century mark like the earlier residence? Or will the pace of coastal erosion speed up to cut short its lifespan?

A. Coastal Living at its Finest
B. Modern Home with Ocean Views
C.

The house is a two-story structure with a large, open living room and dining area. The living room features a fireplace, a large window overlooking the ocean, and a balcony with a view of the crashing waves. The dining area is adjacent to the kitchen, which is equipped with modern appliances and a large island. The house is designed to maximize views and natural light, with large windows and skylights throughout.

Click plans to enlarge Click section to enlarge Click detail to enlarge