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Modern Architecture
Houzz Tour: Prefab Cabin in Rural Vermont
Two architects' revolutionary modular design shows to full effect in this modern, off-the-grid home
New York's Resolution: 4 Architecture was founded in 1990 by Joseph Tanney and Robert Luntz, but it was not until 2003 that their work gained international attention. That was the year they won a home design invitational, which asked 16 architecture firms to design a prefab home for $200,000. Their winning entry — The Modern Modular — used prefabricated modules that would be trucked to the job site after fabrication in a factory. The modules, which would sit upon a foundation with mechanical services, could be configured in various ways; the winning scheme envisioned a second-floor module perpendicular to a lower one, creating a sheltered patio and channeling breezes.
Tanney and Luntz's modular system exploded after that, and it has become their primary means of creating single-family houses, be they in remote sites (like the Vermont Cabin shown here) or urban contexts (see their Bronx Box). Variation appears not only in the positioning and stacking of the modules, and therefore their relationship to the surroundings, but in the articulation of the exterior materials and the size and location of the windows.
For this off-the-grid cabin in Jamaica, Vermont (who knew Jamaica was in New England?), the architects responded to the large property and the needs of the client in the cabin's siting, plan and exterior.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A retired Brooklyn couple
Location: Jamaica, Vermont
Size: 1,650 square feet
That's interesting: This highly specific residence was constructed from modular, prefabricated components.
Tanney and Luntz's modular system exploded after that, and it has become their primary means of creating single-family houses, be they in remote sites (like the Vermont Cabin shown here) or urban contexts (see their Bronx Box). Variation appears not only in the positioning and stacking of the modules, and therefore their relationship to the surroundings, but in the articulation of the exterior materials and the size and location of the windows.
For this off-the-grid cabin in Jamaica, Vermont (who knew Jamaica was in New England?), the architects responded to the large property and the needs of the client in the cabin's siting, plan and exterior.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A retired Brooklyn couple
Location: Jamaica, Vermont
Size: 1,650 square feet
That's interesting: This highly specific residence was constructed from modular, prefabricated components.
The Vermont Cabin is comprised of two modules forming an L-shape to create an outdoor space that opens to the western sun. "It is based on conceptual building blocks we call Modules of Use, which are comprised of Communal Modules (kitchen/dining/living) and Private Modules (bedrooms/bathrooms)," the architects explain. The Vermont Cabin is composed of two public and two private modules, linked by a fifth entry module.
Siting the building was very important, especially given that the property encompasses 200 acres. Certain restrictions limited locations for siting the house, particularly for the septic system, but hiking through the property was a large part of the process, echoing the owner's hobby of mushroom-picking on the grounds. The final location is atop the property's highest point, allowing for views of the surrounding landscape.
Another consideration: solar power, related to the off-the-grid nature of the house. The panels are seen here on a post removed from the house, so repositioning them in different seasons is easier than a rooftop location.
Another consideration: solar power, related to the off-the-grid nature of the house. The panels are seen here on a post removed from the house, so repositioning them in different seasons is easier than a rooftop location.
According to the architects, the first visit to the site to determine the location of the house "was in the freezing rain with limited view," along the lines of the snowstorm here. Subsequent visits in fine weather confirmed the decision made on the first visit. This points out the value of experiencing the site in various states before coming to a conclusion.
The appealing visual character of the house in the snow is undeniable, no doubt arising from its location on the property's highest point.
As mentioned, the outdoor space created by the L-shaped plan was important. Two means of shading from the western sun can be seen in the view: An exterior sunshade projects from one volume, while the other features a deep-set cutout that provides access to and from the interior.
Also visible in the previous view, as well as in this perpendicular one, is the indoor/outdoor fireplace marked by two flues. One serves the interior and one serves the exterior, allowing this outdoor space to be used beyond the summer months.
These views also make the two primary exterior materials clear: Most of the house is covered in Cor-Ten Kynar painted corrugated metal panels, but the fireplace volume is clad in cement board panels.
These views also make the two primary exterior materials clear: Most of the house is covered in Cor-Ten Kynar painted corrugated metal panels, but the fireplace volume is clad in cement board panels.
Cedar accents stand out against the Cor-Ten and cement panels, hinting at what is going on inside.
One positive aspect of modular, prefab construction is that shelves and other storage solutions can be fabricated offsite before the house is delivered to the site. This sort of sequencing yields greater control, both in terms of quality and in terms of minimizing construction waste. Bamboo flooring and maple shelves stand out against the white drywall and aluminum-clad wood frames.
Here we see the built-in, wood-burning fireplace and more wood shelves. The integration of the latter below the windows is a nice touch. With light pouring in from the south and west, it's apparent that the architects addressed the layout of the house in terms of solar orientation.
Maple also finds its way into the kitchen cabinets, which benefit from the prefab construction.
This last shot of the solar panels presents the opportunity to discuss how the house manages to be off the grid. According to Tanney and Luntz, an average home in America uses over 10,000 kwh per year. The Vermont Cabin was designed for 3,000 kwh, with efficient appliances, lighting and mechanical systems. Heavily insulated exterior walls and radiant heating help keep the house warm in the cold months.
More:
Interview: What's Up With Prefab?
More:
Interview: What's Up With Prefab?