This house is located in a historic neighborhood within walking distance of a grocery store, grade school, community center, and the cultural vibrancy of downtown Lawrence, Kansas. The unassuming gable-form, 2,000-square-foot house runs the length of a narrow corner lot and opens away from the traffic of 13th Street to the north, while promoting passive solar gain and daylighting through large, high-performance, triple-pane windows along its south elevation. The standing-seam roof, half-round gutters, and minimal trim detailing emphasize the visually rich texture of the Alaskan yellow cedar shingle siding while maximizing the impact of the building’s simple form and minimal composition.

The plan consists of a large, open living area anchored by a kitchen designed for cooking and entertaining. The ceiling extends to the peak of the gable, and the 18-foot-deep walls open toward a bioswale that runs the length of the south side of the house to capture stormwater and support a variety of native plants. The rest of the first floor consists of smaller bedrooms and flexible-use spaces, while the upper floor contains a primary bedroom suite that includes a balcony-like office overlooking the living area.

This house is designed to use minimal energy to operate and incorporates materials that require minimal resources to harvest. It also offers the owner opportunities to use alternative modes of transportation and participate in the life of a long-standing neighborhood with convenient access to its amenities.