Name: Vashon Straw Bale House
Location: Vashon Island, Washington
Size: 1,200 SF
Cost: $460,000
Completed: 2001
Richaven served as the architectural consultant on this novel artist designed house. The first of its kind in King County, it was complicated to gain permission from the building department to allow this type of structure. In order to obtain approval, a sample of the construction was required (the small cabin) and subjected to over a year of tests at the University of Washington to demonstrate compliance with seismic codes, fire codes, and the ability to withstand the wet weather of the Pacific Northwest. Once testing was completed, the small cabin was moved to the site on Vashon Island and construction of the main residence started.
Architectural and design consulting services completed by Brian Rich.