wittman estes brings prefab, web zero residing to pacific northwest

Whidbey Puzzle Prefab: Sustainable Design by Wittman Estes

Whidbey Puzzle Prefab, designed by structure studio Wittman Estes, has taken form to reveal the probabilities of sustainable prefabricated housing. Positioned on Washington State’s Whidbey Island, the residential venture combines environmentally-conscious design with flexibility and innovation. The Puzzle Prefab is a prototype created to reduce environmental impression whereas bringing a wholesome, nature-connected residing expertise for its inhabitants.

The house stands as 1 / 4 of the dimensions of a typical 2,000-square-foot American dwelling, providing 600 sq. toes of indoor residing house and an extra 557 sq. toes of coated out of doors house with cedar decks. Organized into 4 distinct modules, the design is infinitely reconfigurable. ‘This venture reveals how modern prefab development will be. This may very well be positioned anyplace with little disruption to the pure ecosystem and panorama,’ remarks the 2024 AIA Nationwide Small Undertaking Award Jury. The modularity of the Whidbey Puzzle Prefab reveals the adaptability of prefabrication, making it appropriate for distant, suburban, and concrete environments.

photographs © Andrew Pogue

Internet Zero Vitality and Rainwater Assortment

With its Whidbey Puzzle Prefab, the architects at Wittman Estes incorporate a number of high-performance sustainable programs, from the inspiration to the vitality administration controls. Wittman Estes utilized a pin basis system, eliminating the necessity for concrete and decreasing carbon emissions by 24 tons. The venture integrates a 4.1-kilowatt photo voltaic array, driving a warmth pump with hydronic heating and cooling, and contains an vitality restoration air flow system. Based on Matt Wittman, ‘Prefab delivers greater high quality development on a shorter timeline,’ highlighting the environmental and time-saving advantages of prefabrication.

Whidbey Puzzle Prefab is designed as a web zero vitality constructing, that includes a photovoltaic array that generates almost 4,000 kWh yearly. A rainwater assortment system channels water from the roof into metal columns, storing it in a tank the place it’s purified for potable use all through the house. This technique helps the family’s water wants, together with irrigation for the indoor greenhouse. Wittman notes, ‘Local weather change is each the most important and most accessible situation architects can affect.’ underlining the significance of environmentally accountable design selections.

Wittman Estes’ Whidbey Puzzle Prefab is a sustainable prefab dwelling positioned on Whidbey Island

Forest-Pleasant Development

In line with its mission to respect the native surroundings, the Whidbey Puzzle Prefab avoids using concrete, opting as an alternative for micro pin piles that decrease earthwork disturbance and shield tree roots. ‘The delicate forest ecology was revered by shifting the development off-site,’ stated Wittman. This methodology reduces environmental disruption and considerably lowers the carbon footprint of the construction by 77% in comparison with conventional concrete foundations.

Regardless of its small footprint, the Whidbey Puzzle Prefab creates a spacious and versatile residing surroundings. The design integrates indoor and out of doors areas, with the coated cedar decks appearing as an extension of the inside residing areas. Wittman remarks, ‘It’s so compact that it feels huge,’ emphasizing the steadiness between dimension and livability. The house’s sensible programs enable residents to watch vitality use, handle private consolation, and retailer sources effectively. Thus, the house creates a dialogue between each day life and the pure surroundings of the Pacific Northwest.

the house is 600 sq. toes of indoor house with 557 sq. toes of coated out of doors house on cedar decks