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The Cottage Company: 4-Star Brentwood Beach Cottages

Posted on Oct 1, 2018 in:
  • Case Studies

The Cottage Company integrated many of the project’s details early in the design process, from stormwater mitigation to architectural spaces and finished materials to mechanical systems.

These two modern, low country-style homes sit between the Lake Forest Park Town Center and the beach along Lake Washington. The project aids the area’s larger mitigation efforts to restore the lower reach of Lyons Creek, which is an urban salmon-bearing stream, and re-establish two wetlands after the Lyons Creek flooded in 2007. In doing so, it mitigates most of the stormwater on-site through permeable hardscaping, native landscaping, and rain gardens.

Vital Stats

Section

Points

Location: Lake Forest Park
Star Level: 4-Star
Checklist: Single-family/townhouse new construction
Verifier: Evergreen Certified
Site and Water 180
Energy Efficiency 107
Health and Indoor Air Quality 91
Material Efficiency 85
  Total Score 531

 

The architectural design reflects forethought into the diversity of living situations and spaces. The addition of an accessory dwelling unit above the garage in each house can accommodate a large family, mother-in-law, multi-generational housing, or an extra tenant. Each home utilizes varying ceiling heights to create unconventional gathering spaces like a top-floor reading nook and a wraparound porch with a double-swing barn-style door to connect the indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly.

Each material was specifically picked for its aesthetic integration into the low country style, as well as its green attributes. Many materials used on this project were locally produced (within 500 miles), namely cabinets, framing lumber, decking, handrails, pavers, drywall, millwork, and siding. The interior finishes also include GreenGuard certified paint, insulation, and luxury vinyl plank flooring, along with Sustainable Forestry Initiative certified sourcing hardwood flooring and wool carpet.

Energy efficient features include a hybrid heat pump water heater coupled with low-flow plumbing fixtures, ducted and ductless mini-splits for space heating and cooling, LED lighting with dimmer switches, and a spot ERV to ensure fresh air within the home. The cottages reflect a very thoughtful way of mitigating stormwater on-site and attention to detail of design within space, materiality, and energy efficiency.

The Cottage Company Brentwood Beach Cottages Kitchen

Built Green Highlights

Site and Water

  • Buffer mitigation for Lyons Creek (by The Watershed Group)
  • 100 percent permeable hardscaping and supplemental rain gardens
  • No turf grass
  • Near Lake Forest Park’s transit-oriented development

Energy Efficiency

  • 37 percent more energy efficient than code
  • All LED lighting with dimmer switches throughout
  • Ducted and ductless mini-splits
  • Hybrid heat pump water heater
The Cottage Company Brentwood Beach Cottages Exterior
The Cottage Company Brentwood Beach Cottages Bathroom
The Cottage Company Brentwood Beach Cottages Living Room
 

Health and Indoor Air Quality

  • Wool carpet
  • Zero and low-VOC paint
  • GreenGuard certified insulation, paint, and vinyl plank flooring
  • Panasonic spot ERV

Materials Efficiency

  • 75 percent recycling rate
  • SFI Certified hardwood flooring
  • Locally-produced materials
  • ZomeTek bamboo composite decking
The Cottage Company Brentwood Beach Cottages creek buffer mitigation and rain garden
The Cottage Company Brentwood Beach Cottages laundry room

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