As 2023 comes to a close and we start fresh into 2024, I have been reviewing past and future goals for the modFORM practice.  One of these goals is working towards a more sustainable architecture practice.  But what does this mean?  We can look at sustainability as an approach of how we design a building but we can also look at sustainability as a way we operate an architecture practice. The former we will look at closer in a later blog post.  The latter will be the subject of this post. So what are ways the modFORM practices sustainability? One, modFORM has a small footprint (small office ) which uses very minimal resources as far as water, electricity and other utilities. But, what are some other areas we can look at reducing? One o the biggest items we as architects can look at reducing is paper usage. Paper has been one item resources architects have used quite extensively throughout the decades. It makes sense, architects in general print drawings onto paper which can then be shared with others. But can an architecture firm be completely paperless? Well, this is what I am striving for with the modFORM practice. Here are a few ways I have either completely removed the need for paper or significantly reduced the need for paper. SHARING DIGITAL DRAWINGS WITH CLIENTS With all the following items, technology has significantly helped with reducing the need for paper.  Then with the era of COVID showing that many people and businesses can work from a digital platform, the has allowed most to to transition into a paperless option. With the modFORM practice, I meet a majority of my clients remotely using programs such as Zoom or Google Meet.  When I share drawings withy clients, this is typically way of digital PDF format or jpeg. Then, I am able to use apps such as Bluebeam to make digital redlines while I share drawings through a screen share.  Other tech that help in this process are touchscreens such as an iPad or a Microsoft Surface where I can again share my screen and sketch ideas with my clients. SUBMITTING DIGITAL DRAWINGS TO THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT Not too long ago, when submitting drawings for a building permit, building departments required that large format (24"x36") paper copies be submitted.  Again, with technology, building departments have allowed people to submit drawings digitally via email or an online portal. Not only has this allowed us to reduce paper but this has also reduced time and money.  In general, to print one set of drawings at 24x36 format can cost upwards of $100 per set.  Submitting digitally is free! SENDING DIGITAL DRAWINGS TO BUILDERS AND OTHER TRADES Similar to the building department, many other trades such as structural engineers and civil engineers have also moved to digital formats.  Again, this significantly speeds up the process as drawings can be sent via email.  Before, drawings would need to be sent to a printing company, then be picked up, then physically delivered to another office. MAIL Most companies have a paperless option.  I strive to go paperless with all companies I work with.  This not only reduces paper but, it also helps me to organize all files digitally. COFFEE An important part of an architect's morning (or all day) routine is coffee.  I opt to purchase coffee from a local coffee shop to allows me to use a reusable mug versus using paper cups. But still, the modFORM practice is not 100% paper free. On the rare occasion, a permitting jurisdiction or consultants may need or require a paper copy of drawings.  In these rare instances, digital drawings can be sent to a local print shop where a physical copy can be printed. These are just a few options that the modFORM practice has used to reduce the need for paper.  If you have other thoughts or ways you have reduced paper in your business or life in general, please feel free to share. Thanks for reading!

It has been several years since we had written our original ADU blog and we wanted to take a moment to revisit this topic and share some of our ADU projects. While many of the topics we originally discussed are still relavent, there are some things we have learned and there have been some new codes changes depending on the jurisidicriin we have been working in. You can read our original blog HERE. REASONS TO BUILD AN ADU While many of the reasons to build an ADU still apply today, the following are the top reasons our clients are looking to build an ADU: -More space for family and guests -Rental purposes. Both short-term and long-term. -An alternative to remodeling or adding to your original home. Sometimes it is easier to start with a new structure rather than retrofit and older structure. -Sequence of construction. Some clients opt to build an ADU first to live in while their large primary home gets built. -Equity purposes. Adding a second dwelling unit to your property is a great way to add equity to your overall property. Here are some of our ADU projects: Waterville ADU Monitor Cabin 25 Mile Creek Chelan Vista Chelan Remodel Thanks for reading. If you have any additional questions or are looking to build an ADU of your own, feel free to reach out to us via the contact form.

As-Builts or record drawings are a very important step in designing a remodel or addition to an existing building. In some cases an owner may have original drawings which are very helpful. However, in some cases the building or house may not have been built exactly to plan. Whether one needs to completely document a building from scratch or one just needs to backcheck measurements, we have compiled a list of tools and methods we like to use to document a building. STEPS MEASURE There are numerous ways to measure a building from manual methods to very high tech methods. Tape measure One of the more traditional and easiest methods is using a tape measure. This is one of the easier methods as most people understand how to use a tape measure. A tape measure can be limiting however.  In some cases a tape may need two people to use. Or when a tape is pulled out to its extents, it can have a lot of sag causing error in a measurement. Then depending on its extents, the tape has a limit on its measurement.  For example, a 25' tape can only extend up to 25'. For measurement s over 25', typically you mark your 25' point, then move your tape to that point and continue measuring. Laser measure A device that helps overcome some of the tape measure shortcomings is a laser measure. A laser measure is a simple device that projects a laser which then bounces off a surface. The device then is able to calculate the distance based on the time it takes for this laser to bounce off an object.There is a limit to distance but this is typically up to 200'. Depending on the brand, the device can save several measurements for future reference. These devices can even measure angles, compute areas and other handy functions. One particular advantage is the ability for one to measure by themselves as well as even measure one-handed. Scan to point cloud A more high-tech option is to scan a building using either lidar or laser methods. These methods tend to be much more expensive but they are much more accurate and they translate into drafting programs very efficiently. Both lidar and lasers are somewhat similar. Lidar uses a sensor that measures light bouncing off a surface to measure a distance. A laser scanner works in a similar way but uses lasers. The laser scanner I the most accurate method, but these can cost upwards of $50k! Translate to drafting program There are numerous ways to do transfer measured info into a drafting program from hand drafting to complex 3d applications. A more simple method we used once upon a time was to use a tape measure and sketch these measurements down in a notebook.  Then this was taken back to the office where the sketch was then translated into a drafting program such as CAD. With stronger and faster computers, we were then able to take the laptop out to the site, take measurements, then draw this directly into CAD.  This was helpful to identify any errors right away and you could backcheck there on site. Then eventually we wer able to load more advanced 3D programs such as Revit onto our jobsite laptops which then allowed for even more accuracy. Currently, our most preferred method is scanning a building using lidar then upload and process this point cloud data through a series of program which eventually gets translated into Revit.  While this method is quite accurate it is always good to take measurements on site with a laser measure or tape to backcheck later. Photos Another layer or data that helps with creating as-builts drawings are photos.  It is always good to capture as many photos as possible as this helps you to refer to certain areas or details that you may not be able to recall with memory. Once you have your drawing info and data in your drafting program, now it is time to start designing! Thanks for reading, let us know if you have any preferred methods of measuring a building in the comments below.

Spring has been off to a great start in North Central Washington! The weather is getting warmer, the flower are blooming in the hills and all of modFORM's projects are making great progress! CONSTRUCTION EAST WENATCHEE RESIDENCE It is exciting to see the progress on this one! Windows and doors are installed, and siding is starting to go up! ON THE BOARDS BURCH MOUNTAIN RESIDENCE With spectacular views across the valley, construction will start soon on the home located in the hills north of Wenatchee. UPPER MANSON RESIDENCE Located in the hills on Manson, this project is set for construction in the next few months. CHELAN VISTA HEIGHTS RESIDENCE Located high above the hills of Lake Chelan, the project has expansive views to the east looking towards the Columbia River and the Waterville Plateau. ORONDO RESIDENCE Located just down the hill from Lake Chelan, directly on the Columbia River, this home has great views of cliffs to north and Chelan Butte to the east. Thanks for reading. Check out other projects, past, current and future HERE. Stay tuned for the next modFORM LLC blog post.

Well it has been a busy last couple of years! Here is an update on our latest projects that have moved into construction. EAST WENATCHEE RESIDENCE A new home located in East Wenatchee perched on the bank of the Columbia River. This one is moving along quite well. Framing and steel work are nearing completion. BELLEVUE RESIDENCE A remodel to an existing home built in the 1960's. SNOHOMISH RESIDENCE A new single family residence located in Snohomish, WA BREWSTER RESIDENCE A new project located at the confluence of the Okanogan and Columbia River. NUMBER 2 CANYON RESIDENCE A new residence located in Number 2 Canyon outside of Wenatchee. Thanks for reading. Check out other projects, past, current and future HERE. Stay tuned for the next modFORM LLC blog post.

Originally posted on modfloorplanllc.com - June 8th, 2022 ROOFS There are many types of roofs that exist in the world. A roof in its simplest form is a solid plane that caps a structure and is typically supported by either walls or columns. A roof in general is meant to shelter a buildings inhabitants and contents from the natural elements. A roof can be used to shed water or snow away from a building and can be used to shelter the interior from the warm sun. In this blog, we will discuss a few different roofs and some general pros and cons of each. FLAT ROOF The simplest type of roof. The is a flat, horizontal plane which spans between walls. Pro: Very simple structural system. Cons: More difficult to shed water or snow. In a snowy climate, snow is meant to remain on a flat roof. Typically, a flat roofs structure needs to be increased to support the loads of snow. Keep in mind, a flat roof is never completely flat. A flat roof should have a small amount of slope to shed water. PARAPET ROOF A parapet roof is essentially a flat roof with small walls extending above the finish surface of the roof plane. This type of roof is more common for commercial applications where mechanical equipment, such as air conditioning units, need to be hidden. The pros and cons are very similar to the flat roof above. SHED A shed roof, also called a single pitch roof, is one of the simplest forms of roofs. Characterized by a single plane, sloping in one direction. Shed roofs can have a pitch as shallow as 1/2":12" and can be fairly steep. Pros: A shed roof has a very simple structure. Since the roof is sloped, the roof plane can be thinner than a flat roof. A shed roof can be designed to not allow snow to shed. Or in the instance where snow does shed, it only drops to one side. A shed roof can be strategically designed to shed snow to a desired side or location of a structure. Views can be more expansive on the tall side of shed roof. Cons: No space for an attic. Routing of mechanical, electrical and plumbing can be more challenging. GABLE A gable roof is characterized by two sloping planes which meet at an apex. Essentially a triangle shape. Potentially one of the most common roof types in the US. Pros: When assembled as a truss system, smaller (less expensive) structural components can be used on a gable roof. If the roof pitch is steep enough, an attic space can be created for storage. Additionally, this also allows for more depth which permits the use of thicker insulation. Cons: The gable typically sheds snow in two directions. causing snow build up on two. sides of a structure. When multiple gable roofs intersect perpendicularly, they create valleys. A valley can cause unwanted snow build up as snow shedding from opposing roofs runs into each other. HIP A hip roof is essentially a gable roof that slopes from all four sides. The pros and cons are similar to a gable however, a hip roofs structure can be more complicated. BARREL VAULT A barrel vault roof is an arch shape that has been extruded or elongated. While this is a very strong form, it is less commonly used in residential applications. The barrel vault roof structure can be more complicated to assemble as curves tend to add complexity. DOME Again, less commonly used in residential applications. This is essentially an arch that is rotated on its z-axis. This might be seen in a grain silo application. These are just a few examples of standard roof types for residential applications. Let us know your favorite in the comments below. Thanks for reading! If you are interested in custom designed homes, please click here. If you are interested in pre-design floor plans for sale, please click here.

Originally post on modfloorplanllc.com on May 24th, 2022 Windows on homes are an expansive subject. We can talk about sizes, glazing types, number of panes, insulating values, frame types and operation among other items. For the purpose of this blog, we'll focus on window operation. We'll look into these other subjects for another time. So what is window operation? FIXED The most simple type of window, this is actually an inoperable window. A fixed window does not move at all. It is sometimes also called a picture window. Typically you would use this type of window when you would like to capture a large expansive view. CASEMENT This window hinges from either the left or right side and swings much like a door. It can open inwards or outwards. Depending on the manufacturer, the width of the window can be limited by the hinge hardware. If the width of the window becomes too wide, the hinge hardware can tend to sag when the window is fully open. For example, some manufactures can limit the width of a casement window to three feet. AWNING Similar to the casement, the awning hinges from the top and opens from the bottom. In general, the windows are wide and short. You may see these windows near the floor which allows for great ventilation. This also allows you to open the window to be opened in rain and not allow water to enter the building. HOPPER This is very similar to an awning but hinges from the bottom. These windows can open inwards or outwards. However, opening outwards in inclement weather is not advised as this allows water to enter the building. You may see these more commonly used with tall narrow windows. SINGLE HUNG This window consists of two window units. The lower unit typically slides up to allow the lower part to be completely open. The lower window unit can be heavy so, a system of springs or counterweights are typically used to help lift the window. DOUBLE HUNG This is very similar to single hung but both the upper and lower units can slide up or down. SLIDING This is very similar to a sliding door. One window unit is fixed while the other slides to the side. HARDWARE: Casement, Awning and Hopper windows have somewhat similar types of hardware. Hinges: At a minimum, two hinges are needed on the hinging side of these these types of windows. As the window increases in height or width, additional hinges may needed. Locking/Latching Mechanisms: For sealing and security purposes, most windows will have a latching mechanism. This can consist as something as simple as a thumb latch or something larger as a handle. This will mostly depend on the weight of the window and the manufacturer. Push/Pull or cranks: There are multiples ways to open and close a window. The two most common are a push/pull or crank mechanism. The push/pull is as simple as unlatching the window and pushing it out or pull it close. Typically there are either springs or friction mechanisms to keep the windows in place. The crank system uses a small crank to open and close the window. This is simple as rotating the crank in a circular pattern. The crank systems can sometimes be more secure as the window can only operate with the crank. From the exterior, the window cannot be pulled open. This means the window can remain cracked for ventilation and still be more secure than the push/pull option. Single & Double Hung windows typically have very similar hardware to each other. In general, these systems us smaller thumb latches to secure the window. For operation, these windows use a track system at the left and rights sides of the window frames. Either a spring mechanism or counterweight is used to offset the weight of the window when lifting. The springs or counterweights also allow the window to stay in place at any level the user chooses. When a operable window is within 18" of a floor, there are limits to how far the window can open. This is prevent children from falling out the window. Always check with your local building codes and regulations to verify proper codes. Screens Depending on where you live, a screen may be desired to prevent bugs from entering into your home. In a majority of cases, screens are attached to exterior side of windows. However, in some cases such as a casement window opening to the exterior, the screen can be attached to the interior side of the window frame. COMBINATIONS All these windows can be combined into a single window unit depending on the location within a house. For example, you may see a fixed window next to a casement window. Or you may see a fixed window above and awning window. Typically, the window manufacturer will set limits on how many and what types of windows can be combined into one unit. Below is an example of a combination of casement, awning and fixed windows. There are still many window types beyond what I have discussed here. This is a basic intro to the most commonly used windows within the Northwest. As with all our blogs, always check with your local jurisdiction or hire a design or building professional to ensure you are following the proper local building codes and regulations. Thanks for reading. Please leave a comment below!

UPDATES IN 2022 IN RED During the design phase there are various consultants that must be utilized to assist in the formation of a new or remodeled building. As projects and permitting processes become more complex it is necessary to combine the forces of various design professionals and engineers. In today’s blog post, I am going to give a brief overview and a very rough price for the design consultants an architect works with to design a simple single family residence. SURVEYOR An official stamped survey is required by most county and city jurisdictions to submit for a building permit. The survey will record precise locations of property lines, house location (if a current house exists), topography, utilities, trees, wetlands, roads, driveways, easements and many other important items. This survey is a critical tool for an architect to establish important parameters for building a new home or remodeling and existing home. One important example for remodeling an existing home is determining the distance the house is placed front property setbacks. The home may have been built before the city or county created the current property setback codes. I have encountered a few existing homes that sit partially within this setback. As long as no substantial changes are happening to the portion of the home within the setback, then typically that portion of the house can remain in its current location. However, any new additions to the home will need be set outside of the setback. The cost of a survey will range on size of lot, the complexity of the slope and topography and other variables but, for an average 6,000sf lot a survey will cost between (2022 UPDATE - $4,500-$5,500) GEOHAZARD REPORT Within Chelan and Douglas Counties there is a variety of topography and terrain. In general, both counties require a Geohazard Report for permitting purposes. This essentially designates the property as Geologically safe or if additional Geotechnical review is required. Geohazard Reports range from $1,000-$1,5000 If a Geotech Report is required, this will range from $4,000-$5,000 STRUCTURAL ENGINEER While designing a home, an architect will work along side the structural engineer to create the structure or the bones of the house. City and county jurisdictions will typically require a set of structural drawings stamped by a licensed engineer along with a set of calculations. The cost of a structural engineer will vary depending on size and complexity of a home but for an average wood framed home of roughly 4,000sf, a structural engineer will charge from (2022 UPDATE - $8,500-$15,000) CIVIL ENGINEER A civil engineer is becoming a more common consultant to be enlisted on single family residence projects. Typically a majority of jurisdictions on the west side of Washington state require a storm water plan to be designed by a licensed engineer. The storm water design is a plan showing how water will be dealt with on the building site. In a dryer region such as Eastern Washington, these storm water design requirements are typically not as strict. However, there are a few cases where a storm water plan is still required in instances where a home is built near a body of water. The city and county jurisdictions will typically require the water runoff from the home to be retained on site and restricted from entering the body of water. Depending on size and complexity of the project, a civil engineer may charge from $3,000-$6,000 PERMIT FEES Permitting fees are the fees the city or county charges for the processing and review of permit drawings. Every city and county has a different way of estimating these fees but typically it is based on the size and square footage of a project. In jurisdictions in North Central Washington, fees will range anywhere from $2,000-$4,000 for an average sized home. One thing to note, all these price estimates are for the summer of 2018 in Washington State and are for a fairly simple home of 4,000sf built on a simple lot. Thank you for reading! Please be sure to post and comments below and visit the modFORM website here.

It is often debated whether a site survey is needed for the building permitting process. In many jurisdictions, it is flat out required. In other jurisdictions it is not always required but is incredible beneficial for the owner and the architect for site planning purposes. A majority of permitting jurisdictions will require a site plan which is typically prepared by and architect. In short, the site plan shows a scaled airel view of the property and the proposed new structures Many of the site plan requirements will be derived from the site survey. Check your local jurisdiction to understand what is required for a site plan. Here is a list of items I typically request from the surveyor. Property lines Outline of Existing home and other structures such as sheds Hard surfaces Driveways Sidewalks Walk ways Street location Street centerline's Manhole covers Catch basins and drainage at street Fire hydrant locations Topography - 2' intervals Height of existing buildings, floor level of existing buildings Easements - access, utility, easement, etc Utilities - power, water meter or well location, sewer Vegatation - more importantly, large trees and the canopy footprint Fence locations Exposed rock Now let's expand into why architects needs all of this info for a site plan Keep in mind, always check with yourocal permitting jursdiction to verify all zoning and building code requirements. Property lines This is one of the more important data points of the survey. This allows the architect to better understand the placement of a new home. Most jurisdictions have standard zoning restrictions which will dictate where a structure can be placed. In general, these are the standard setbacks: Front yard setback Side yard setback Rear yard setback To help visualize this, a front yard setback may be 25', a side yard setback may be 5' and a rear yard setback may be 25'. With a large one acre parcel, these set backs may not be overly important. On a smaller 5,000 square foot parcel, these setbacks may limit the overall building footprint. Outline of Existing home and other structures such as sheds If you are adding onto a home, it will be important to understand how the existing home sits in relation to the property lines. As you design your addition, you will need to be sure you are not crossing any of the above mentioned setbacks. Additionally, many jurisdictions will have restrictions on how much hard or impervious surface may be covered. For example, a parcel may only be allowed to have 30% lot coverage. This typically includes all building footprints and hard surfaces. Which brings us to the next topic. Hard surfaces Hard surfaces typically include concrete or asphalt driveways, concrete walkways, sometimes decks and sometimes even hard compacted gravel surfaces. These hard surfaces are typically counted towards the surface area calculation mentioned above. Again, check with you local jurisdiction to verify what is considered a hard surface. Street location Srreet location, width and centerlines are important to capture on a survey. Occasionally street centerline's are used to calculate yard setbacks. Topography - 2' intervals Next to property lines, topography is the next important element. On a flat site, topography typically is not as important to understand. However, a site with slope can cause some complexities. The topography is typically measured realitive to elevation above sea level. If a new home is to be multiple levels and to be built on a slope, it is important to understand what elevations each level of the home sits at in relationship to the adjacent topography. In some jurisdictions, there may be restrictions on how steep of slope you can build on or there may be setbacks required from these steep slope. Height of existing buildings, floor level of existing buildings A surveyor can capture heights of roofs of existing buildings and floor levels. This can be helpful for calculating overall building height criteria required by permitting jurisdictions. Easements - access, utility, etc Occasionally properties will have various easements for utilities, access or other reasons. These easements are typically a part of the properties legal recording process. A survey will be able to access these records and include these easements on the site survey. Utilities - power, water meter or well location, sewer Typically another requirement by the permitting jurisdiction. They will want to see where the various utilities enter a property and where the connect to a house. Vegatation - more importantly, large trees and the canopy footprint Vegation and more importantly large trees are important to understand where they sit in relationship to a future home. Some jurisdictions may have limitations on how many trees can be removed or what vegatation can be removed. Check the requirements with your local jursdiction. Fence locations Permitting jurisdictions will sometimes require fences to be recorded on site plans. This is also helpful in understanding where a fence sits in relationship to a property line. Other street elements Other elements a permitting jurisdiction may require as a site plan include the following: Manhole covers - these are used as basepoints or benchmarks for surveyor. This in turn can help a builder locate certain elements on a site. Catch basins and drainage at street - Sometimes drainage from roofs is sent to the street. It is helpful to understand where the nearest drainage elements are located on the street. Fire hydrant locations- Fire hydrant locations are needed sometimes to understand whether a house may be required to have sprinklers. If a hydrant is too far away from a house, the city may require a home to have fire sprinklers to be installed. Having the hydrant on the site plan can help the city calculat these requirements. That about sums up the items typically required in a site survey. As mentioned several times, check with your local jurisdiction on requirements and also check with your surveyor and architect. Thabks for reading!

Have you ever wondered what the purpose of that little two foot section of roof extending beyond the wall of a house or building is really for? And why do some houses have overhangs while others do not? In this blog, we will give you a brief explanation of the function of a roof overhang or an eave. FUNCTION In its simplest form, a roof overhang is meant to protect the siding of the wall below and the building occupants. By extending roughly 12", 18" or 24", this allows any water on the roof from rain or snow melt to be directed out and away from the building. PROTECT THE OCCUPENT FROM WEATHER One important function of a roof overhang is to protect the occupant from rain or snow. If an overhang is used in a strategic way, it can be extended over an entry door to give the occupant a moment out of the inclement weather before entering into the building. These roof overhangs can also be utilized to wrap around a building to give the user a path around the building that will remove them from the weather. PROTECT SIDING FROM MOISTURE Similar to above, the roof overhang can protect the building siding from rain and moisture. Think of the roof overhang as an umbrella for the building. By extending the roof a few feet away from the building, this allows for water to be drained and directed away from the walls. But what about houses or buildings without overhangs? Many houses are constructed without the use of overhangs. In these cases it is very important to choose materials that are water resistant and are not susceptible to moisture. In many cases, masonry, brick or rock may be a good choice. If a building is constructed from masonry, there is less need to protect these building materials from water as they are not as vulnerable as wood siding. Climate may also be a factor in the size of the overhang. In dry, cooler climates with very little rain there is less need to protect siding from rain because of the lack of it. In this case, a roof overhang may not be necessary. This one is tricky though. In cool dry climates, no overhang may work but, in dry desert climates, a roof overhang may be important for shading from the sun. Which leads us to the next point. SHADING In climates with an abundance of sunshine, it is advantageous to shade the building walls and windows to reduce heat at the interior of the building. Depending on the location on earth, latitude and sun angle, the roof overhang extensions can be situated in such a way to block direct sunlight from entering windows. In a location such as Seattle, WA, a well designed roof overhang can be designed in such a way to block direct sunlight in hotter summer months when the sun is higher in the sky and it can allow for solar heat gain in the winter when the sun is lower in the sky. VENTING Another purpose for a roof overhang is to allow for roof venting. Roofs need to be vented for many reasons such as to avoid moisture build up which leads to mold. Or to reduce the chances or ice dams in cold snowy climates. Perhaps this could be part of another blog. In any case, the roof overhang allows areas to conceal and hide venting for the roof cavity. STRUCTURE Something to touch briefly on with overhangs is the support or structure of the overhang. In general for wood construction, a roof overhang can extend from 12"-24" without any special structure. Once the overhang extends above 24", special provisions such as the use of large beams, whether revealed or hidden ( or flush) will be required within the roof framing. Which can increase the cost of framing. So that's a brief post about roof overhangs. Please let us know if you have any questions or comments below. Thanks for reading!

Every once in a while, we here at modFORM like to share what is inspiring us. Today's inspiration blog post is a collection of homes that fit with in the Mountain Modern design aesthetic. What is Mountain Modern? Mountain Modern is a style typically found in mountainous regions that blends modern styling with a more rustic lodge feel. In this styling we find lower pitched roofs whether shed or gable, exposed large wood beams and columns and sometimes a stone base. Sometimes steel and extensive glass is thrown into the mix. Without further ado, here is our list: Project Name: Horizon Cabins Location: Wasatch Mountains, Utah Architect: MacKay Lyons Sweetapple Architects Photo courtesy of: Summit Powder Mountain Project Name: Studhorse Location: Winthrop, WA Architect: Olson Kundig Photo courtesy of: Olson Kundig - Benjamin Benschneider Project Name: Modern Mountain Cabin Methow Valley Location: Mazama, WA Architect: Prentiss+Balance+Wickline Architects Photo courtesy of: Prentiss+Balance+Wickline Architects Project Name: Creek House Location: Truckee, CA Architect: Faulker Architects Photo courtesy of: Faulker Architects - Joe Fletcher Photography Project Name: Northern Lake House Location: Northern Minnesota Architect: Standard Design Photo courtesy of: Standard Design - Chad Holder Project Name: Bigwood Residence Location: Sun Valley, ID Architect: Olson Kundig Photo courtesy of: Olson Kundig - Benjamin Benschneider Thanks for reading! Comment below and tell us about your favorite Mountain Modern homes! Check out the modFORM Instagram here. Check out projects by modFORM here. TAGS: #architecture_lovers #architecturevisualizations #architecturerender #houseplans #houseplansofinstagram #homeplans #buildingconstruction #builldingahouse #buildingstyles #homedesignideas #modernhomes #modernatchitect #modernfarmhousestyle #mountainmodern #architecturephotos #buildingdesign #architecture #design #architectanddesign #architecten #architectlife #architecturemasters #deserthouse #midcenturymodernhome #midcenturyliving #midcenturymod #midcenturyarchitecture #midcenturyhomes #newhomeideas #newhomedesign

What is the fascination with converting shipping containers in housing and buildings? It seems over the last decade or two, there has been a surge in the use and popularity of using shipping containers as buildings. Even Starbucks has jumped on the bandwagon and has created several drive-thrus with stacked shipping containers. In this blog post, we will dive into what shipping containers are, sizes, and some advantages and disadvantages of using them as architecture. Image courtesy of containertech.com First, what is a shipping container? A shipping container is a structurally rigid steel box used for shipping materials and goods around the world. These containers are designed in such a way that they can be stacked several units high on a large freight ship to be shipped across oceans and can also be placed on a flatbed trailer and shipped on land by a semi truck. Image courtesy of containertech.com Before we get into using containers as architecture, let's discuss the sizes. SIZE In general, there are three basic sizes of shipping containers. These sizes are dictated by highway and road constraints. For example, the maximum width for vehicles without special permits on US roadways is 8'-6". So typical shipping container widths are 8'. Here are the typical container sizes: 10' Width: 8' Height: 8'-6" Length: 10' 20' Width: 8' Height: 8'-6" Length: 20' 40' Width: 8' Height: 8'-6" Length: 40' Beyond these sizes, there are a range of other options from high cubes to longer units. ADVANTAGES So why are shipping containers so popular and why are so many people using them for housing and buildings? To answer this, let's discuss some advantages. ABUNDANCE There are millions of shipping containers being shipped around the world. After being shipped so many times, the containers will go into retirement. While not being used for shipping anymore, they may be more than satisfactory for building needs. With such an abundance, many people are selling these containers for very cheap. Sometimes used shipping containers can sell for as cheap as couple thousand dollars. STRUCTURE The structure is built in. Shipping containers are composed of a tube steel frames with a corrugated steel skin. This is essentially the framework of a building. With a little more work, other building amenities can be added such as doors, windows, insulation, mechanical, plumbing, electrical and other finish work. WATER RESISTANT Since these containers are shipped on the ocean across the world, they need to be able to keep water out to protect the contents. These steel boxes a mostly sealed with the exception of the door opening. These doors are typically seal with gaskets and create the weather tight seal when shut. AIR TIGHT Again, to protect the contents of the shipping containers, measures need to be taken to keep humidity and salty air out. For similar reasons as above, gaskets can added to the doors to further keep air and moisture out. STACKING Shipping containers are meant to be stacked. Each corner has a very cool interlocking device that allows shipping containers to be connected. This corner also allows the containers to be lifted by cranes and other machinery as well as to be locked down to a flatbed trailer. This stacking nature of these containers can be utilized during their life as architecture. There are many examples of container houses being stacked 2-3 units high. And container buildings be stacked 5 units and higher. DISADVANTAGES With all these great advantages, there does come some drawbacks to using containers as architecture. PAINT Some shipping containers contain chemicals or lead in the paint to increase longevity. Keep in mind, these containers are shipped across the world on large ships and are exposed to harsh wet and salty climates on the sea and ocean environments. Nasty chemicals can be added to the paint. Sometimes this may not be an issue if left alone. However, precautions may need to be taken when working with or removing this paint. WHAT WAS SHIPPED INSIDE This may not be an issue but it is something to consider. Sometimes chemicals can be shipped inside these containers. The metal walls and roof can most likely be scrubbed down or the paint remover completely ( see above). However, the floors ( typically constructed of wood) may absorb these chemicals. The floors can be cleaned or replaced completely if needed. FLOORING MATERIALS Similar to above, the wood itself most likely does not pose a hazard however, the wood can be treated with chemicals to preserve and protect from harsh ocean climates. This may or may not be an issue, just something to consider. Image courtesy of containertech.com RUST Even with the protective paint coatings, these shipping containers can eventually be susceptible to rust. If one is looking for a shipping container to use for a building, it's best to find one with very little or no rust. However, some very minimal surface rust may be desirable for that patina look. STRUCTURE In their original form, these shipping containers are incredibly strong. The skin is composed of a corrugated steel which creates a significant structural rigidity. Once holes for windows, doors or other penetrations are punched into the skin of these boxes, measures will need to be taken to reinforce these openings. STYLES With the advantages and disadvantages out of the way, let's take a look at some examples of containers used as architecture. Like all design there is an intricate balance between form and function. Some container buildings celebrate the fact that these are industrial boxes and they show off their original utilitarian skin. While others try everything they can to hide the fact that these boxes sit months at sea on giant boats. In some cases, they will completely hide the chipping container skin with siding or drywall. Image courtesy of Alternative Living Spaces Image courtesy of Alternative Living Spaces Image courtesy of FBM Architects Check out more shipping container ideas on the modFORM Pinterest page There is so many more great examples and so much more to write about shipping containers. Hopefully, this gives you a brief introduction to the fascinating world is using shipping containers as architecture. Thanks for reading and please leave a comment below.