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A view of the ipe-and-steel bridge from the main house to the annex.
A view of the ipe-and-steel bridge from the main house to the annex.
The screen porch serves as an auxiliary dining area and extends past the house to capture views and cross breezes.
The screen porch serves as an auxiliary dining area and extends past the house to capture views and cross breezes.
Carport doors swing open to the alley outside of the studio, where the property extends enough for additional landscaping. The corrugated steel siding comes from a surplus from a nearby apartment building. “There’s a lot of urban infill potential in Seattle’s neighborhoods,” Wittman remarks. “We’re catching up to older, denser cities in this regard.”
Carport doors swing open to the alley outside of the studio, where the property extends enough for additional landscaping. The corrugated steel siding comes from a surplus from a nearby apartment building. “There’s a lot of urban infill potential in Seattle’s neighborhoods,” Wittman remarks. “We’re catching up to older, denser cities in this regard.”
When Alex or Bruce leave the island, closing up shop is as simple as sliding panels of corrugated metal into place to protect the windows.
When Alex or Bruce leave the island, closing up shop is as simple as sliding panels of corrugated metal into place to protect the windows.
“Durability drove the selection of metal panels,” Schaer says of the home’s industrial exterior. Manufactured by AEP SPAN from corrugated cladding, it looks like zinc but costs significantly less. It also contrasts nicely with the natural siding and trim. “All of the wood inside and out is Douglas Fir, the predominant wood species in the northwest,” Schaer explains.
“Durability drove the selection of metal panels,” Schaer says of the home’s industrial exterior. Manufactured by AEP SPAN from corrugated cladding, it looks like zinc but costs significantly less. It also contrasts nicely with the natural siding and trim. “All of the wood inside and out is Douglas Fir, the predominant wood species in the northwest,” Schaer explains.
The annex "lanai" opens up to the deck for indoor/outdoor living.
The annex "lanai" opens up to the deck for indoor/outdoor living.
Architect Ben Waechter wrapped the upper floor of Nick Oakley’s house in inexpensive black corrugated steel. By rounding the corners, Waechter avoided unsightly trim at the edges.
Architect Ben Waechter wrapped the upper floor of Nick Oakley’s house in inexpensive black corrugated steel. By rounding the corners, Waechter avoided unsightly trim at the edges.
The two-tone corrugated metal cladding helps the sheds blend into the landscape, along with windows custom-colored by the manufacturer to match.
The two-tone corrugated metal cladding helps the sheds blend into the landscape, along with windows custom-colored by the manufacturer to match.
Marco V. Morelli says his Studio Shed is the perfect refuge. “It’s changed my life for the better,” he says. “I’ve gotten so much more work done, and I think my marital relations are much better because I have a place of my own.”
Marco V. Morelli says his Studio Shed is the perfect refuge. “It’s changed my life for the better,” he says. “I’ve gotten so much more work done, and I think my marital relations are much better because I have a place of my own.”
A private terrace overlooks an alleyway on the main floor’s southeastern end. “[The home’s] outdoor spaces are all to varying degrees extensions of interior space,” Schaer says.
A private terrace overlooks an alleyway on the main floor’s southeastern end. “[The home’s] outdoor spaces are all to varying degrees extensions of interior space,” Schaer says.
Corrugated siding usually used for roofing is used for the exterior.
Corrugated siding usually used for roofing is used for the exterior.
“I suppose you could consider me part of a subculture who lived in various inner-city spaces,” says Simpson, whose previous homes include ad hoc spaces in industrial warehouses, floors of office buildings, and units above shops and bars. In designing his Island Bay home completely from scratch, he retained his experimental spirit: “We wanted a house that responded to our wider social, environmental, and economic concerns rather than something that blindly followed convention,” he says. Unassuming in sight, the home’s corrugated-metal cladding (above) recalls the tin shed, a vernacular housing type in the region.
“I suppose you could consider me part of a subculture who lived in various inner-city spaces,” says Simpson, whose previous homes include ad hoc spaces in industrial warehouses, floors of office buildings, and units above shops and bars. In designing his Island Bay home completely from scratch, he retained his experimental spirit: “We wanted a house that responded to our wider social, environmental, and economic concerns rather than something that blindly followed convention,” he says. Unassuming in sight, the home’s corrugated-metal cladding (above) recalls the tin shed, a vernacular housing type in the region.
The main living area is flanked by green spaces, with custom sliding doors made from materials sourced from a metal warehouse. The ceiling is corrugated sheet metal, a “common and cheap but noble” construction material, Teresa says.
The main living area is flanked by green spaces, with custom sliding doors made from materials sourced from a metal warehouse. The ceiling is corrugated sheet metal, a “common and cheap but noble” construction material, Teresa says.
Corrugated Steel Construction at Humayun's Tomb in Delhi “For me it’s a positive beautiful thing to find inspiration from, what people are doing in a very humble way,” says Doshi. “There are many people who think these neighborhoods aren’t beautiful. But for the people who live there, they put a lot of care into what they built for themselves. We love the composition of the corrugated steel, that’s used to make these amazing structures. They are the authors and architects of their own dwellings.”
Corrugated Steel Construction at Humayun's Tomb in Delhi “For me it’s a positive beautiful thing to find inspiration from, what people are doing in a very humble way,” says Doshi. “There are many people who think these neighborhoods aren’t beautiful. But for the people who live there, they put a lot of care into what they built for themselves. We love the composition of the corrugated steel, that’s used to make these amazing structures. They are the authors and architects of their own dwellings.”
Zinc corrugated roofing was used to cover the shelters, providing shade and preventing rain from collecting and causing structural deterioration.
Zinc corrugated roofing was used to cover the shelters, providing shade and preventing rain from collecting and causing structural deterioration.
Inspired by the small scale of Japanese residences—in particular, Makoto Masuzawa’s 1952 Minimum House—architect Andrew Simpson designed his own economical 538-square-foot home set into a wooded site in Island Bay, a coastal suburb outside Wellington, New Zealand.
Inspired by the small scale of Japanese residences—in particular, Makoto Masuzawa’s 1952 Minimum House—architect Andrew Simpson designed his own economical 538-square-foot home set into a wooded site in Island Bay, a coastal suburb outside Wellington, New Zealand.
Sheer Genius The master bedroom wall that faces the light well is made from a double layer of corrugated-plastic panels, with a sheet of vinyl from Canal Plastics Center sandwiched between them for translucency. The wall lets sunlight and moonlight into the room while still maintaining privacy.
Sheer Genius The master bedroom wall that faces the light well is made from a double layer of corrugated-plastic panels, with a sheet of vinyl from Canal Plastics Center sandwiched between them for translucency. The wall lets sunlight and moonlight into the room while still maintaining privacy.
The family dog enjoys the shade provided by the corrugated-copper roof overhangs.
The family dog enjoys the shade provided by the corrugated-copper roof overhangs.
A bathroom with corrugated steel walls opens directly to the outdoors, making it easy to shower post-beach.
A bathroom with corrugated steel walls opens directly to the outdoors, making it easy to shower post-beach.
South Facade
South Facade
Corrugated steel cladding defines the exterior.
Corrugated steel cladding defines the exterior.
Architect Jayna Cooper had never designed a house before, much less played general contractor, when she broke ground on her new home in the middle of Los Angeles in 2009. After a grueling four months of hands-on work—managing subcontractors, sourcing materials, driving the front loader—she moved in. With a façade made of corrugated sheet metal, Cooper walks us through her completed home and reveals what it took to make this $200-per-square-foot abode a reality.
Architect Jayna Cooper had never designed a house before, much less played general contractor, when she broke ground on her new home in the middle of Los Angeles in 2009. After a grueling four months of hands-on work—managing subcontractors, sourcing materials, driving the front loader—she moved in. With a façade made of corrugated sheet metal, Cooper walks us through her completed home and reveals what it took to make this $200-per-square-foot abode a reality.
Remote living, especially on an island, requires a fair degree of self-sufficiency. Dangar Island has a limited water supply, so all the roofs on the Flood house were designed to collect rainwater and channel it into a 6,600-gallon tank.
Remote living, especially on an island, requires a fair degree of self-sufficiency. Dangar Island has a limited water supply, so all the roofs on the Flood house were designed to collect rainwater and channel it into a 6,600-gallon tank.
“The use of corrugated metal “was a very cost-effective cladding solution that pays homage to the metal-clad warehouse buildings in Lawrenceville,” Moss says, “but it does so in a manner that matches the scale of most of the lap-siding homes in the area.” The windows are mostly standard sizes from Pella.
“The use of corrugated metal “was a very cost-effective cladding solution that pays homage to the metal-clad warehouse buildings in Lawrenceville,” Moss says, “but it does so in a manner that matches the scale of most of the lap-siding homes in the area.” The windows are mostly standard sizes from Pella.
South West Facade
South West Facade
Australian firm Carterwilliamson Architects converted a 19th-century cow shed into a residence that implements passive heating and cooling principles. "Our clients share a vision for gregarious family life which is reflected in their home. The spaces are truly ‘open plan. Each room is connected to the others and to the sunny, green courtyard that acts as a natural extension of the living spaces," says firm principal Shaun Carter.
Australian firm Carterwilliamson Architects converted a 19th-century cow shed into a residence that implements passive heating and cooling principles. "Our clients share a vision for gregarious family life which is reflected in their home. The spaces are truly ‘open plan. Each room is connected to the others and to the sunny, green courtyard that acts as a natural extension of the living spaces," says firm principal Shaun Carter.
The two-tone corrugated metal cladding helps these Kansas City camping sheds blend into the landscape, along with windows custom-colored by the manufacturer to match.
The two-tone corrugated metal cladding helps these Kansas City camping sheds blend into the landscape, along with windows custom-colored by the manufacturer to match.
Pool Rocker II, 2009. Corrugated cardboard.
Pool Rocker II, 2009. Corrugated cardboard.
The corrugated-cardboard Mantle clock, manufactured by Dovetusai.
The corrugated-cardboard Mantle clock, manufactured by Dovetusai.
East Facade
East Facade
"You don’t think of maintenance as a sustainability issue, but it is," says Swatt, who points out that most exteriors require stain, paint, or sealant for upkeep, unlike the corrugated metal used for their prefabs which is virtually maintenance free.
"You don’t think of maintenance as a sustainability issue, but it is," says Swatt, who points out that most exteriors require stain, paint, or sealant for upkeep, unlike the corrugated metal used for their prefabs which is virtually maintenance free.
West Facade
West Facade
The architects designed the sloping roofline due to the existing jacaranda tree on the lot. Foliage used to collect on the old roof, clogging the gutters. The new structure's dramatic pitch prevents leaves and branches from accumulating.
The architects designed the sloping roofline due to the existing jacaranda tree on the lot. Foliage used to collect on the old roof, clogging the gutters. The new structure's dramatic pitch prevents leaves and branches from accumulating.
The vertical ridges and muted color of the home’s corrugated metal cladding contrasts with wood balustrades that line the stairs and balcony.
The vertical ridges and muted color of the home’s corrugated metal cladding contrasts with wood balustrades that line the stairs and balcony.
East Facade
East Facade
A separate module, clad in corrugated steel, houses a pair of guest bedrooms, offering hosts and visitors alike a welcome degree of privacy. Proximity to the Blanco River means easy access to fishing, swimming, and kayaking, but also the possibility that river muck will piggyback its way into the house on unwashed feet.
A separate module, clad in corrugated steel, houses a pair of guest bedrooms, offering hosts and visitors alike a welcome degree of privacy. Proximity to the Blanco River means easy access to fishing, swimming, and kayaking, but also the possibility that river muck will piggyback its way into the house on unwashed feet.

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