The ZN Prototype House was designed as a kit of parts that could easily be erected on any site. We developed this concept after receiving a lot of interest in our design for the LM Guest House (completed in 2012). The main house has three bedrooms and two bathrooms with a storage room that can be converted to a powder room. To expand the program, the clients added a free standing guest house (equipped with a kitchen and full bathroom) with a covered walkway to the main house.
The floor plan and overall form of the prototype house is very efficient and feels spacious, beautifully crafted, and modern. Our care with the interior detailing takes advantage of warm materials & textures and broad, expansive views to the landscape. Working with the builder, we found efficiencies in construction methods and glazing strategies to keep costs down. Since completing the ZN Prototype House, several other prototype homes have been commissioned. Clients appreciate the flexibility to tweak the base design to suit their needs and their site.
The kit-of-parts construction includes prefabricated roof trusses, modular wall panels and shear columns, modular floor to ceiling windows, wood siding that is used inside and outside, prefinished engineered oak wood planks used on the floors and ceilings, and modular millwork for the kitchen and closets.
The steep slope conditions of this particular property in northwest Connecticut provided an opportunity for a raised viewing deck off the living area, which was built on site.
Team:
Architects: Desai Chia Architecture
Structural Engineers: Murray Engineering
Civil Engineers: Jason Dismukes, LLC
Contractor: Bill Stratton Building Company
Photographer: Paul Warchol
Materials Used:
Facade cladding: Shou Sugi Ban, Dire Wolf, Delta Millworks
Flooring: European White Oak, Hope, PID Flooring
Wall & floor Tile: Crossover Porcelain Tile, Nemo Tile
Windows: Fleetwood Windows & Doors
Roofing: Metal trim, PacClad
Membrane Roofing, Kemper
Door hardware: Lockset, Omnia
Hinges, Colonial Bronze
Door stop, Baldwin
Interior lighting: Recessed lighting, Tech Lighting Element
Surface mounted lighting, Carpyen Boop, Artemide Dioscuri, Nelson Ball
Pendant from Design Within Reach
Sconce, Nobi Wall Sconce, Fontana Arte
Plumbing: Toilets, faucets, shower controls, sinks, Kohler
Kitchen faucet, Grohe
Appliances: Cooktop, oven, fridge, dishwasher, Thermador
Hood, Miele
Washer & Dryer, Electrolux
Custom Millwork: Bill Stratton Building Company
