Boulderspace

Continuing on the 2008 Landmarks of the Future Tour: Architects at Home, we introduce the home of Steven Dodd, Steven Dodd Architect, INC., at 3076 7th Street:

3076 7th Street
Mention manufactured or factory-built housing to most people and the last things that come to mind are modern design, natural living or green building strategies. But when it came time for architect Steven Dodd and his wife, Margaret, to replace their small 1950s ranch home in northwest Boulder, manufactured housing seemed the logical choice to deliver a modern, green, custom-designed home within a reasonable budget. Steve and Margaret share a love for traditional Japanese architecture with its clean and simple lines, extensive use of natural materials and inspiring connection between indoors and outdoors. Their goal was simple: a thoroughly modern, economical and green-built house infused with the spirit of Japan.

Faced with a modest budget and the prospect of having to rent another house during the construction process, Steve investigated manufactured housing as a way to save both time and money. Modern factory-built houses are identical in every way to their site-built counterparts. However, the factory-built houses are constructed in a climate-controlled environment, using precise assembly line techniques. Sections or modules are finished at the factory, then transported to the site and lifted by crane onto a site-built foundation. Most homes are built in less than a month and ready to move into within weeks.

From a green perspective, the process produces a minimal amount of waste, most of which is recycled on site. All this efficiency translates into lower construction costs resulting in savings of between 15 percent and 30 percent over site-built alternatives. While contemporary in design, the house has a natural feel, due in large part to the choice of materials. The exterior siding is a tropical hardwood called Balu, harvested from sustainable forests in Indonesia and more decay-resistant than redwood at half the cost. Granite, limestone, and slate are used extensively throughout the house, while clear finished fir cabinets, doors and trim work lend a warm feeling to the interior.

Perhaps the most striking feature of the house is the large windows that fill the house with natural light. In the living room, windows look out on enclosed gardens to the front and rear and the master bathroom has a treehouse-like feel from large corner windows looking out on an old elm. A skylight in the master bedroom allows “sleeping under the stars.” It’s this connection to the natural world that seems to represent the true spirit of the house.

Links:
505 Geneva Ave. - Landmarks of the Future
Historic Boulder

Tags: 3076 7th Street, 505 Geneva Ave. - Landmarks of the Future, Fenno Hoffman, Historic Boulder, Inc., Seven Dodd ARchitect, Steven Dodd