While many urban areas with single-family zoning constantly battle NIMBYism (“Not In My Backyard”), The Cottage Company embraces the concept of “Neighbors for More Neighbors” via density infill at their Ida Pearl House Remodel & Post Cottage new construction project.

Inspired by the 19th century farmhouse ‘compounds’ of clustered worker cottages, this site, located in the Olympic Hills neighborhood of Seattle, created moderate density by constructing a detached accessory dwelling unit behind a newly renovated 1928 Tutor cottage in a single-family neighborhood a short walking distance from shops and transit in Northeast Seattle’s Lake City Urban Village.

The project team sought to preserve as much of the existing cottage as possible including elements like the clear fir and oak flooring with inlay, mouldings, arched doorways, divided light windows, stone fireplace, and ‘Dutch’ front door. The Ida Pearl House kept much of the original exterior aesthetic, but finished the existing basement and built-up portions of the roof to allow for more total livable area. While designing for more livable spaces within the home, the envelope, structure, and systems were also brought up to and, in some cases, beyond code. To maintain much of the existing interior finishes and aesthetic, a centralized heat pump air handler replaced the existing HVAC system that serviced the basement and main floor and supplemental ductless mini-splits were installed at the top floor. Additionally, all existing exterior walls and roofs were insulated, and a hybrid heat pump water heater was installed to address the domestic hot water needs.

The newly constructed Post Cottage is separated from the Ida Pearl House by a green ‘buffer’ space, keeping the lots private from one another, but allowing for connectivity to nature. The interior design features a large, vaulted ceiling great room, dining nook, and Douglas fir flooring throughout the one-story, two-bedroom space. In tangent with a robust liquid-applied weather resistant barrier (Enviro-Dri) to protect the home from moisture and air leakage, high-efficiency systems including a centralized, ducted heat pump air handler and Energy Star appliances were installed to perform over 20% better than a new code-built house.

The entire project is centered around the concept of preservation: from the reuse/refinishing/retention of existing interior elements and large heritage cedar trees on site, to the naming of the homes based on the original farmstead owners, nod to the historical architectural style of the time, and an extensive owners’ manual that includes the site’s history as well as a “Who Built My Home” section for major subcontractors involved in the project.