wee's not getting any younger . . .

Although Alchemy gets quite a few calls about building new weeHouses, or simply new houses, we also get a fair number of calls about staying renovating existing houses (which we love to do!). 

Adapting a home for a changing lifestyle is a terrific design challenge. Lot of variables and considerable constraints make experienced designers all the more helpful. Maybe a young family is growing, so they're thinking about more space. Often, a family is rooted in their community and they're thinking about making an existing space 'smarter' for their lifestyle. And more and more people are asking us about 'mother-in-law' weeHouses, or growing 'outside' their existing box. Lots of options, lots of choices.

Locally, the University of MN is taking a look at design that optimizes "aging" at home. Since wee's not getting any younger, we're looking forward to seeing it. Here's the info.: 

Smart House, Livable Community, Your Future

February 5 - May 22, 2011

The first of 70 million Baby Boomers will reach age 65 in 2011. The size and impact of this post-World War II generation will challenge America’s resources, communities, and concepts of what it is to be a “senior.”  An AARP survey quoted in the Wall Street Journal (9/19/09) found that 85% of surveyed individuals age 50+ said they wish to remain in their community for as long as possible.

What does the desire to continue living independently mean for the design of homes for aging Baby Boomers, and for the design of communities?   Housing Studies professor Marilyn Bruin and Masters student Jodene Riha will address these questions in the upcoming exhibition, Smart House, Livable Community, Your Future, at the Goldstein Museum of Design (GMD), College of Design, University of Minnesota (February 5-May 22, 2011).

We're Celebrating!

http://www.startribune.com/business/106738028.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU

Thank you to AIA-MN for two Honor Awards as announced at the 2010 MN-AIA annual convention for the Blair Barn House and the SPECS Optical Facade. We are thrilled to receive these, and to be in the company of our creative and talented peers. 

Completion of the Blair Barn House, Blair, WI

Alchemy loves barns! The Blair Barn House celebrates the straightforward utilitarian nature intrinsic to farm life by taking its clues from classic 19th century big barns and updating them for the sustainable priorities of the 21st century.

Alchemy's goal was to build a modern design acceptable in a rural community where families have lived for generations. Priorities included:
- barn siding with filtered barn light
- few, but large, openings
- an open-and-under space in the main living area, reflecting the traditional barn hay loft space and granary floors
- a nod to farm technology
- respect of a farmer's common sense approach to the seasons and tasks

Together with clients and colleagues, Geoffrey Warner put together a program of creating a full-time house with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and adequate storage. Locally harvested 4/4 rough-sawn white oak creates a rainscreen as an exterior skin. Inside, the client (a furniture designer) wrapped walls with assorted salvaged hard woods that accentuate floating masses and passageways.The project is 2600 gross SF, with 1850 finished SF. It utilizes a geothermal heating system, passive solar/sun shading and the strategic placement of windows for reduced heat loss. A concrete thermal mass floor integrates infloor heat.

The warped west facade gives nod to the graceful, aging grey barn neighbor, and hosts great sliding porch doors. Inside, ropes and pulleys operate lights and doors. Outside, awnings of steel and cable provide for adjustable light infiltration.

This project was completely site built by Empire Development and Building in Onalaska, WI. Build costs ran approx. $360K (including geothermal).