Ridgefield Farm: Porch House

Clients G. & G. wanted to downsize into a more comfortable home that would be age-friendly as they eased into retirement. They found JBA because of their interest in living in a more sustainable home and efficient home, and with a curiosity about Passive House design strategies. While they wanted a high-performing home built using modern building science, they preferred a more traditional farmhouse in appearance, with some contemporary touches here and there.

They had been living nearby in a home of 2,300 square feet but reported that it was poorly laid-out, so we all felt confident that a smaller house could work even better if the layout were improved. JBA’s design eventually came to 1,864 square feet of conditioned space, with a guest bedroom and a third bedroom to be used as the home office.

The site is surrounded by farmland and woods, but also quite exposed to shifting winds and summer sun. With this in mind, we planned for a wraparound porch to provide multiple options for outdoor living, while also shading the living spaces from the steep-angle sun in the hottest months. In winter, low-angle sun is still welcomed in to make the living spaces light and warm. This outdoor living area also allows the indoor spaces to remain modestly-sized which in turn keeps heating and cooling bills in check.

Age-friendly design was also an important consideration even though our clients are quite active, adventurous and healthy. Some of our strategies included a no-step entry, an easy route from garage-to-house, roll-in shower in the primary bathroom, and comfortably-sized interior doorways with potential for adaptation in the future. With these features in place, they will be ready for many more years in this house, and ready to welcome all guests.

After five years in the home, G. & G. report that they have only operated the air conditioning three times, even with the extreme heat dome events of the early 2020s. A 12 kw solar system was recently added to a detached barn, which will offset the already-low utility bills and allow for a future electric vehicle.

Location: Ridgefield, Washington

Builder: Classic Home Creations