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Sunset Breezehouse Sets the Stage for West Coast Living

From Homescape

written by Amy Le on Tuesday, April 8, 9:25AM

Amy Le

Chicago is a unique architectural hybrid of classic brownstone homes, three-flats and sleek modern high-rises. Surrounded by such a diverse array of designs and styles, I’m always intrigued by emerging home trends in other parts of the country. The latest architectural craze drumming up some much deserved buzz comes straight from the pages of Sunset magazine.

The openness of the home allows for more natural lighting during the day.

The Sunset Breezehouse is a collaboration between Sunset magazine and Oakland, Calif.- based architect Michelle Kaufmann. The home first showcased in 2005, and has swelled in popularity over the last few years. This warm, earth-friendly modular home embraces the outdoors with deftly placed windows and rooms that flow out into a backyard deck and private gardens. All major rooms, including the central room (called the Breezespace) and master bedroom, lead to the outdoors.

Developed in response to the demand for more affordable architect-designed dwellings and currently available in 12 Western states

By folding the NanaWall to one side, the central living area becomes an extension of the rear deck.

and British Columbia, the Sunset Breezehouse makes good design accessible: The 2-bedroom, 2-bath, 1,800-square-foot model costs approximately $155 per square foot, or about $279,000, not including land, foundation, site work, or shipping, according to Sunset.com.

The home is colored with non-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints and is loaded with other green-friendly materials and equipment:

Countertops
Kitchen and bathroom countertops are made of Richlite, a recycled-paper product.

Siding
Sustainably harvested Western red cedar clads the home’s two factory-built modules. Corten steel, Galvalume (anodized alloy-coated steel) and cement board are other siding options.

Insulation
A spray-in foam insulation fills wall cavities and covers the roof, helping bring the house to a high R-38 insulation value.

Solar panels
All Sunset Breezehouse options are equipped with standing metal-seam roofing to receive solar panels. This house features a 2.5-kilowatt array of photovoltaic panels mounted to the Breezespace’s metal-clad butterfly roof, the shape of which hides the panels’ glare. Flat and sloped roofs are also available.

Windows
Dual-glazed windows prevent heat loss and gain. Thoughtful placement of clerestory windows and hallway skylights reduces the need for artificial lighting during the day.

Got hot local housing tips or a story you want to share? Contact Amy Le at openingdoorsblog@homescape.com.

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Comments

Comment from Ricky, a Consumer:

A seamless connection of living room and deck can greatly improve the ambiance of a house.

Comment from RB, a Consumer:

I think that they're actually going to be building one of these at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry as an exhibit next month.

My favorite of her designs is the Glidehouse because of it's simplicity. It seems perfect for a small lakefront lot.

Comment from Amy Le, Editorial Producer, a Consumer:

Thanks for the tip RB. I want to check out this exhibit. I really like Kauffmann's Glide house as well. I think her style is very innovative.

Comment from Oli, a Consumer:

Sure, all these newfangled pre-fab construction homes are interesting, but what I would really like to know is how they stand up over time against the elements and harsh climates -- heavy rains, winds, and snow. Maybe a cool place to have in San Diego, but Chicago? Forget about it.

Comment from RB, a Consumer:

If you're worried about the elements, you could always go with a shipping container home and shut it down for winter. It's probably quite burglar-proof, too.