264 Seabird Lane: A Small Self-Build House
Light clay/self-milled timber house, Bamfield, BC.

This simple, owner built home will begin construction in the summer of 2009. The house is a model for an environmentally sensitive home in coastal British Columbia. To stick to this principal and a ridiculously small budget of $25,000 the design takes advantage of passive heating and cooling, rainwater catchment and composting toilets. The client is taking part in the majority of the construction and as such the forms and connections are kept simple.

The remote location (accessible only by boat or logging roads) led to the selection of site sourced materials and self-milled lumber using a VW engine milling saw. Lightclay earthen walls make up the majority of the exterior shell, providing weather protection and great thermal mass. A salvaged corrugated steel roof with large overhangs provides further durabiltiy and longevity.