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