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Collection by Ellen Lowe

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Double doors open to the deck.
Double doors open to the deck.
The walls and floors are covered in white oak, with wall hooks from Stahl and Board. The overhead light is AND Lighting Pipeline. “I am a tall human and I need room to span and hug and embrace and bring people in,” says Natalie. “So it felt like the entry was really the driver for how we were going to manipulate the house.”
The walls and floors are covered in white oak, with wall hooks from Stahl and Board. The overhead light is AND Lighting Pipeline. “I am a tall human and I need room to span and hug and embrace and bring people in,” says Natalie. “So it felt like the entry was really the driver for how we were going to manipulate the house.”
On Vashon Island, about 20 miles southwest of Seattle, architect Seth Grizzle designed a 440-square-foot multiuse structure for his clients Bill and Ruth True.
On Vashon Island, about 20 miles southwest of Seattle, architect Seth Grizzle designed a 440-square-foot multiuse structure for his clients Bill and Ruth True.
In Portland, Oregon, a culinary couple called on architect Michael Howells to raise the roof, revamp the floor plan, and spice up the kitchen.
In Portland, Oregon, a culinary couple called on architect Michael Howells to raise the roof, revamp the floor plan, and spice up the kitchen.
The build team added 25,000 pounds of concrete and lead to ensure ballast, or that the house would be level on the waves. “It’s a tiny home, so you have all the same things you would worry about in a tiny home, but with this added challenge of having to be as stable as possible,” says David.
The build team added 25,000 pounds of concrete and lead to ensure ballast, or that the house would be level on the waves. “It’s a tiny home, so you have all the same things you would worry about in a tiny home, but with this added challenge of having to be as stable as possible,” says David.
Another money-saving choice was changing the driveway from a stone paver driveway to poured concrete. The roof is designed to collect rainwater, which travels through a set of pipes for storage in a 39,000-gallon cistern behind the house.
Another money-saving choice was changing the driveway from a stone paver driveway to poured concrete. The roof is designed to collect rainwater, which travels through a set of pipes for storage in a 39,000-gallon cistern behind the house.
The project was completed entirely remotely. Since then, the husband-and-wife team have moved back to Santiago, where they had met as young architects working for local firms.
The project was completed entirely remotely. Since then, the husband-and-wife team have moved back to Santiago, where they had met as young architects working for local firms.
The interior of each shipping container is clad almost entirely in birch ply, which imbues the interiors with a light, natural feeling that complements the surrounding landscape.
The interior of each shipping container is clad almost entirely in birch ply, which imbues the interiors with a light, natural feeling that complements the surrounding landscape.
The designer furniture—much of which is by local South African makers and brands—elevates the cozy retreat, and offers an element of surprising contrast to the rugged landscape and remote site. It was also essential that anything transported to site was of high enough quality to stand the test of time, as transporting replacements would be logistically challenging.
The designer furniture—much of which is by local South African makers and brands—elevates the cozy retreat, and offers an element of surprising contrast to the rugged landscape and remote site. It was also essential that anything transported to site was of high enough quality to stand the test of time, as transporting replacements would be logistically challenging.
The decks and pergolas are attached to the shipping containers and were folded around the modules during transport—an approached that informed the way the modules look. “It’s kind of like the moon landing,” says architect Leon van der Westhuizen. “There’s all the mechanics of actually getting the capsule up there and that drives the aesthetics. A lot of engineering went into that and there were a lot of intricacies.”
The decks and pergolas are attached to the shipping containers and were folded around the modules during transport—an approached that informed the way the modules look. “It’s kind of like the moon landing,” says architect Leon van der Westhuizen. “There’s all the mechanics of actually getting the capsule up there and that drives the aesthetics. A lot of engineering went into that and there were a lot of intricacies.”
The four containers were second-hand but were purchased in nearly-new condition—a decision that added to the overall cost of the project. “It was one of the requirements of the the client,” explains architect Leon van der Westhuizen. “He didn’t want them all banged up as the exterior was left exposed and needed to look really neat.”
The four containers were second-hand but were purchased in nearly-new condition—a decision that added to the overall cost of the project. “It was one of the requirements of the the client,” explains architect Leon van der Westhuizen. “He didn’t want them all banged up as the exterior was left exposed and needed to look really neat.”
The four containers are also the same brand, which was an important consideration as each brand has slightly different dimensions, and the highly detailed design of the hide-out necessitated precision.
The four containers are also the same brand, which was an important consideration as each brand has slightly different dimensions, and the highly detailed design of the hide-out necessitated precision.
The remote site is only accessible via a 4x4 vehicle, and doesn’t have mobile phone reception—which made construction challenging as any queries needed to be relayed to the architects using a satellite phone for emergencies or by driving to the nearest point with reception. “It was a real mission,” says architect Leon vad der Westhuizen. “We had to plan everything meticulously and the construction team relied heavily on our CAD data and the building information we shared.”
The remote site is only accessible via a 4x4 vehicle, and doesn’t have mobile phone reception—which made construction challenging as any queries needed to be relayed to the architects using a satellite phone for emergencies or by driving to the nearest point with reception. “It was a real mission,” says architect Leon vad der Westhuizen. “We had to plan everything meticulously and the construction team relied heavily on our CAD data and the building information we shared.”
The Karoo <i>Uitkyk</i> (Hide Out) is located on a private farm, and was initially conceived as a deck for viewing wildlife, such as antelope, giraffes, and birds. “You can hear everything in nature as it’s so quiet,” says architect Leon van der Westhuizen. “You can also see the weather changing as you sit and watch from the ridge—it’s a really amazing feature of that spot.”
Uitkyk
Charmed by the life aquatic, a physician tasked GO'C to create a 618-square-foot floating home with three decks, a full kitchen, and storage galore.
Charmed by the life aquatic, a physician tasked GO'C to create a 618-square-foot floating home with three decks, a full kitchen, and storage galore.
Not accounted for in the initial budget is the $78K Isaac spent on furnishings as well as art materials, tech equipment, and a piano: “I didn’t realize how much nice, quality things were going to cost,” says Isaac.
Not accounted for in the initial budget is the $78K Isaac spent on furnishings as well as art materials, tech equipment, and a piano: “I didn’t realize how much nice, quality things were going to cost,” says Isaac.
The studio uses Shou Sugi Ban cedar siding, white oak, and local Texas limestone. “In a sense it’s nicer than our home,” says Isaac, referring to the high-quality, natural finishes.
The studio uses Shou Sugi Ban cedar siding, white oak, and local Texas limestone. “In a sense it’s nicer than our home,” says Isaac, referring to the high-quality, natural finishes.
Architect Laura Boutelle designed an addition that extended into the unused driveway to accommodate a new stair to the second floor.
Architect Laura Boutelle designed an addition that extended into the unused driveway to accommodate a new stair to the second floor.
Suzanne and Brooks Kelley at the back of their 1,100-square-foot guest cottage.
Suzanne and Brooks Kelley at the back of their 1,100-square-foot guest cottage.

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