How a "Massing Model" helps envision a New House

The first step in figuring out a new house, is to block out the rooms and their relationship to the site.

The first step in figuring out a new house, is to block out the rooms and their relationship to the site.

Then from there, the basic shapes can be created in 3D- the black dashed lines are the setbacks required.

Then from there, the basic shapes can be created in 3D- the black dashed lines are the setbacks required.

The site has been surveyed and a model of the site is used in conjunction to further define the spaces.

The site has been surveyed and a model of the site is used in conjunction to further define the spaces.

The next step is to further define the roof planes, the windows, the decks- the model still has not been altered, so that it is clear to see how much of the slope will have to be removed. The upper part of the house sits on top of the ground, while …

The next step is to further define the roof planes, the windows, the decks- the model still has not been altered, so that it is clear to see how much of the slope will have to be removed. The upper part of the house sits on top of the ground, while the lower part will require excavation.

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Together with the floor plans, the shape of the house begins to take place, considering the height restrictions through cross sections of the site and setbacks thru the site plan.

CABIN FOR TWO ON WHIDBEY ISLAND

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This is a model of a proposed 1000 sq. ft. cabin with a wrap around front porch and a detached single car garage. There is an outdoor fireplace to enjoy under the covered side porch. There is an existing Main Residence, so this will act as a guest house for the grand parents to live in, to be closer to their family.

The one car garage has a nice over-hang to keep the garage door from getting water splashed and it connected to the back door by a covered breezeway.

The one car garage has a nice over-hang to keep the garage door from getting water splashed and it connected to the back door by a covered breezeway.

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This is the view that will be seen when driving by the house to the main house. The pop-out afords a bit of extra room for the Master Bathroom to work better.

Detail of the outdoor covered fireplace. This was one element that the clients went back & forth about keeping. It is really nice to have a spot to gather year round to enjoy a fire. The location is very wooded, so there will always be blow-down…

Detail of the outdoor covered fireplace. This was one element that the clients went back & forth about keeping. It is really nice to have a spot to gather year round to enjoy a fire. The location is very wooded, so there will always be blow-down to burn- why not enjoy it? It will be a magnate for the grand kids to gather around. With my children, our outdoor fireplace was always the spot to gather with friends after dinner- boih in the summer and on rainy winter nights.

MODERN FARMHOUSE ON ORCAS

Just submitting for permit, these are the latest model shots. This is the back side of the house that faces the view. It has a huge South facing Covered Porch that has an outdoor fireplace and a built-in BBQ, for entertaining in style and ease.

Just submitting for permit, these are the latest model shots. This is the back side of the house that faces the view. It has a huge South facing Covered Porch that has an outdoor fireplace and a built-in BBQ, for entertaining in style and ease.

The front of the house has an Entry Porch to welcome visitors and a side porch for future access to a barn. This side of the house faces North.

The front of the house has an Entry Porch to welcome visitors and a side porch for future access to a barn. This side of the house faces North.

The clients are professionals, the wife is an interior designer. They had a clear idea of the exact layout and style of the house, but I worked with her to refine many details. Can’t wait to show the “After” shots of the project completed! It will have standing seam metal roofs with board & batt siding. The steeper pitched roof houses the Great Room, with bedrooms surrounding. The house is basically 1900 sq. ft. with 885 sq. ft. of covered porches.

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HANGAR HOUSE IN THE WORKS!

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Off the Airstripe on Orcas Island, WA

Off the Airstripe on Orcas Island, WA

The owner’s Fiat will fit perfectly in the entry carport!

The owner’s Fiat will fit perfectly in the entry carport!

A large covered porch

A large covered porch

A large covered porch off the rear of the “Wing Shaped” house will be the preferred hang out spot to watch the incoming and out-going planes.

Master Bedroom Addition & Re-do

This is my solution for a couple that wanted to add a study and deck off of their Master Bedroom and create a larger Master Bathroom and a walk-in closet

This is my solution for a couple that wanted to add a study and deck off of their Master Bedroom and create a larger Master Bathroom and a walk-in closet

This is the existing layout- the bathroom is cramped and the closets are right off the hallway.

This is the existing layout- the bathroom is cramped and the closets are right off the hallway.

Here is a shot of the model from the side of the house. There are existing huge fir trees that tower.

Here is a shot of the model from the side of the house. There are existing huge fir trees that tower.

Here is another view of the model of the addition.

Here is another view of the model of the addition.

And here is what it would look like when entering the front of the house.

And here is what it would look like when entering the front of the house.

NEW HOUSE ON ORCAS ISLAND

This design is for a sloping lot facing the water, so the decks step down with a sunken Living Room.

This design is for a sloping lot facing the water, so the decks step down with a sunken Living Room.

Still working on the model here, as it is a “Progress” model to show the client the idea.

Still working on the model here, as it is a “Progress” model to show the client the idea.

The existing cabin is to the left, and the client wants to save money by retaining the cabin and re-doing the entry, kitchen and dining room with an arbor over the entertaining deck. There is a large rock out-cropping that looks like a giant dome.

The existing cabin is to the left, and the client wants to save money by retaining the cabin and re-doing the entry, kitchen and dining room with an arbor over the entertaining deck. There is a large rock out-cropping that looks like a giant dome.