In 2006, Jim Barger of Greenleaf Construction bought the 40-foot-wide lot at 114 26th Ave E in Madison Valley. He brought in architect Kim Lavacot of Bennett-Lavacot and they went to work taking the limited room they had to work with and trying to make the most of it with a focus on salvaged materials and making the lot feel bigger than it is. Salvaged T&G cedar is interspersed with new fiber-cement siding. You might notice the stairs dip a bit, which is because the treads used to be church pew seats. Paneling on the half-wall along the stairway used to be in Metro bus stops. Much of the rest of the lumber came from a previously-demolished house in Magnolia. Natural light is a big focus as well, thanks to a row of windows along the stairs and clerestory windows above the door. Thanks to all of the attention paid, the home is three-star Built Green. It's also set up to be enjoyed, with an art studio above the garage, which itself is set off to the side to help create a yard environment that feels bigger than it actually is. Asking $670K, 'Studio 24' is a 1,380 square-foot home that seems bigger as well as better for the world around it.
· 114 26th Ave E Unit A [Estately]
· Green Home Case Study [Seattle]