This May Be the Most Ecologically Ambitious Home Renovation on the Planet
On Bainbridge Island, off the Washington coast, Charlie Hellstern Interior Design and The Miller Hull Partnership create the first residential remodel to achieve Living Building Challenge certification.
On Bainbridge Island, off the Washington coast, Charlie Hellstern Interior Design and The Miller Hull Partnership create the first residential remodel to achieve Living Building Challenge certification.
On a cold and rainy day in February 2017, Todd Vogel and Karen Hust hosted a meeting with the renovation team at their new home. Located on a lush lot on Bainbridge Island, off the Washington coast, the property was designed by architect Harold Moldstad as two buildings—a 2,000-square-foot house built in 1968 and a smaller guesthouse added later. With an enormous, partially shaded deck stretched between them, the buildings frame a postcard view of the Seattle skyline across Puget Sound.
Todd Vogel and Karen Hust renovated their waterfront home on Bainbridge Island, Washington, in accordance with the energy and environmental standards of the Living Building Challenge.
Photo: Rafael Soldi
Working with architects at The Miller Hull Partnership and interior designer Charlie Hellstern, they honored the 1960s Northwest-modern design while pushing the boundaries of renovating sustainably.
Photo: Rafael Soldi
The gathering wasn’t a typical design meeting. The group included architects, an interior designer, contractors, structural engineers, and experts in biophilic design. The latter was the day’s focus, as everyone gathered around a folding table and convenience store takeout to discuss how Todd and Karen’s remodel would support the connection between humans and nature.
Before the remodel, the house had no front door. A path led to the deck between the structures, and you entered through glass sliders. Now, a custom bridge leads to a new entry. The door is made of pitted steel salvaged from a ship bottom and fabricated by Seattle-based studio She-Metal.
Photo: Rafael Soldi
See the full story on Dwell.com: This May Be the Most Ecologically Ambitious Home Renovation on the Planet
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