2013 North Seattle Tour Sites

The CargoCottage™ is a compact home built from a reclaimed steel shipping container, using eco-friendly building materials and fixtures. ShelterKraft designs and builds container homes and commercial structures that are sustainable, durable, space-efficient, and affordable, using green building products (e.g., recycled-material countertops, water-saving toilets, and zero-VOC paints). We can also integrate green technologies like solar and wind power, graywater reclamation, green roofs, composting toilets and other off-the-grid options. The CargoCottage and other ShelterKraft container homes are perfect for a backyard office or dwelling, cabin in the wilderness, or a primary family residence. We also design and build commercial container structures such as pop-up stores, walk-in cold storage units and modular office spaces.

Visit this unique home to see rain water catchment in its various forms, plus other sustainable features including an energy retrofit and remodel; then while your in the neighborhood a short walk brings you to many neighborhood rain gardens. Map to the other rain gardens will be provided at the site. The neighborhood rain gardens are part of the City of Seattle's RainWise program and the 12,000 Rain Gardens for Puget Sound Campaign.

This Passive House in Ballard will combine revolutionary performance with a PV-array, on-site stormwater treatment, rainwater harvesting, and sustainable finishes. Construction will be complete mid-May 2013. This single-family Passive House (aka Passivhaus) home building project in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood is motivated by twin convictions held by the client: first, that the comfort and durability of the Passive House standard makes it the "right way to build"; and second, that the huge reduction in energy use makes it the right thing to do for future generations.

The backyard artist’s studio developed from the homeowner’s desire to create a dedicated space to be able to work from home. For this growing family, the tiny 880 sf primary residence was bursting at the seams with no extra space for a home office. The goal for the studio was to have a work space close to home, but separated from the house to ensure a quiet work environment away from their rambunctious toddler. The property had an existing dilapidated detached garage on the site which was unused. The project began with an efficient design for rebuilding the garage into a studio, which included a work area, ¾ bath, storage closet, and garden storage accessed from the exterior.

Live-work-play adapted and expanded an existing garage to create a leasable studio dwelling unit with accessible features for aging in place. This started from our desire to create a rentable cottage to add to our income and subsidize future remodeling of our 90 year old home. Eventually, if family members would like to live close by, the cottage will be waiting for them. The exterior is complete, and the interior is currently under construction. Visit this Backyard Cottage and learn how you can build small and still live large.

ReImagining of Ballard bungalow: a small addition, new kitchen and bathroom with energy updating (Infrared Ceiling panels!) Good insulation, Some new windows, beautiful cork floor, with cool European influences make this home ready for the next century!

This 103 year old house is remodeled with aims of extending the structures useful life and making it less resource dependent. The end result is a home coming very close, if not meeting the Seattle 2050 goals for Energy and Carbon scoring and using a quarter the normal amount of city water while maintaining an eye appealing appearance. Key to meeting the Seattle goals is use of solar PV and hot water systems along with a variety of energy efficiency upgrades.

We will tour you through our home and explain the extensive remodel including solar hot water and solar electric systems, energy upgrades (windows, insulation, etc.), and electric vehicles that are powered by solar. We are also happy to share how we restored the original 1908 look of the home using almost all reclaimed materials. Our rain water recovery system is of interest to many and you are welcome to tour the garden and visit our chickens.

Innovative Living @Fremont is a newly constructed 5-unit Built Green 4 Star townhome located in the Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood. Developed by Innovative Living and designed and built by Build Urban, these units were designed to respond to the sites characteristics. Bunkered in garages, huge high efficient window sets, roof top outdoor living/viewing area, local materials and contemporary design makes this project one to check out.

A 270 sq. ft. Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (DADU) constructed in side yard of Wallingford residence. Advanced framing, high R-value exterior wall insulation and full under-slab insulation, airtight building shell construction, recycled cabinets in kitchenette and bathroom. Standing seam metal roof with rainwater collection, permaculture and drought resistant gardening/landscaping are features of this building.

Once a tired and boxy house, this home now has sunlight drenched rooms, expanded spaces, natural materials and clean lines. This home incorporates a number of the most advanced building technologies. The result is a unique and fresh design within reach for buyers today. This remodel is a beautiful example of a well built home that meets the highest of environmental standards, is highly functional and very affordable.

Inspired by a previous Green Home Tour, this net-zero energy house remodel in Green Lake is just finishing construction. It is designed to be affordable, deep green, and surrounded by lush gardens (yet to be planted). This stop on the tour would be great for people considering deep green changes to their own home. Talk with the team of owner, architect, and builder about the collaborative process and the materials and methods chosen to be beautiful, efficient, and cost-effective.

This modest mid-century house had two very important things going for it: its convenient Laurelhurst location and the owner’s 10-year connection to the community. However this beloved home, built in 1947, had many outdated limitations requiring the family to consider a major remodel. This growing family had ambitious project objectives. They wanted to add living space but maintain the home’s original footprint, improve functionality, capture more daylight, connect the indoors and outdoors, enhance the home’s comfort and overall air quality, and reflect the homeowners’ love of Japanese aesthetics and traditions.