Silver Residence

Silver Residence
© Mikel Amias

SILVER RESIDENCE

Not / Applicable Projects

ARCHITECTS
Not / Applicable Projects

LEAD ARCHITECT, DESIGN, DRAFTING
Neal Barber

MANUFACTURERS
Chaos Group, Ao Smith, Andersen Windows & Doors, Castle Bespoke, Cedar Country Lumber, Fantech, Gubi, Mcneel, Rwb, Schoolhouse , Stuv

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Harriot Valentine Engineers

GENERAL CONTRACTOR
Bellingham Bay Builders

PHOTOGRAPHS
Mikel Amias

AREA
2600 Ft²

YEAR
2023

LOCATION
Maple Falls, United States

CATEGORY
Houses, Residential

Silver Residence
© Mikel Amias
Silver Residence
© Mikel Amias
Silver Residence
© Mikel Amias

The Silver Residence is a mountainous retreat in the foothills of the northern Cascade mountains. Surrounded by evergreen forest, the home occupies a small meadowed clearing populated with mature Big Leaf Maple trees.

The goal of the design was for the house to participate in the experience of the meadow from inside and out.

Taking inspiration from the English Picturesque and the vernacular wooden barns of the region, the house is consciously sited the house with particular vantages in mind. A repurposed ruin that has only recently been rediscovered.

Silver Residence
© Mikel Amias
Silver Residence
© Mikel Amias

The house itself is an arrangement of distinct elements. The more traditionally detailed lodge houses the communal spaces facing the meadow.

.The bedrooms and bathrooms are tucked away in corrugated volumes facing the woods for visual and acoustic privacy.

Silver Residence
© Mikel Amias
Silver Residence
© Mikel Amias

These two halves are mediated by a white wall that runs the length of the plan.

In addition to spatially separating the house's functions, the wall acts as a backdrop for the arranged volumes while one strolls through the meadow or surrounding woods.

Silver Residence
© Mikel Amias
Silver Residence
© Mikel Amias

The elevations of the home are restrained. Large monolithic volumes and surfaces alter one's perception of scale, and the deliberate vertical lines of the siding reinforce the pictorial impression of the house..

Rather than many smaller windows, the elevations consolidate the openings to large-format windows. .

Silver Residence
© Mikel Amias
Silver Residence
© Mikel Amias

These large unobstructed panes of glass make the home seem smaller from the exterior and more expansive from the interior.

The interior of these windows is surrounded by matching wood paneling which frame views out to nature, almost like living paintings.

The winters in northwestern Washington are long and grey with little sunlight, so enhancing natural daylight was a priority. 

Silver Residence
© Mikel Amias
Silver Residence
© Mikel Amias
Silver Residence
© Mikel Amias

Separate from the windows focused on particular views, the house is designed with tall, white ceiling volumes with operable

windows to maximize light. These features act as a room-scaled lightbox that creates a bright airiness to the light-toned wood surfaces below.

In addition to achieving the daylighting goal, this window design helped the home achieve its net-zero rating with a relatively modest solar panel array for the UV index.

Silver Residence
© Mikel Amias
Silver Residence
© Mikel Amias
Silver Residence
© Mikel Amias

In the hot summer months, an effective stack effect keeps the house cool throughout the day without any active cooling system.

The well-daylit spaces also require less additional lighting during the day,

Silver Residence
© Mikel Amias
Silver Residence
© Mikel Amias

which helps reduce our energy demand. This design strategy pairs well with the house's continuous exterior cork insulation and efficient electrical systems.

Silver Residence
© Mikel Amias
Silver Residence
© Mikel Amias


Silver Residence
© Mikel Amias
Silver Residence
© Mikel Amias


Silver Residence
West Elevation
Silver Residence
South Elevation
Silver Residence
East Elevation
Silver Residence
North Elevation


Silver Residence
Section 1
Silver Residence
Section 2
Silver Residence
Section 3
Silver Residence
Section 4


Silver Residence
Plan - Roof
Silver Residence
Plan
Plan - Utility Loft