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Contemporary Living Room, London
Is it built to last? ?
Do you want to live in a home that will stand the test of time?
I have just returned from the pine forests of the Pacific Northwest, where I stayed in a house we completed 12 years ago. My visit was to plan for two more new homes on this rural site and to consider the overall master plan, where we will create several other new buildings. Some are secluded in the forest, and some that interface with the rural centre.
While in the house, I retraced every thought from the initial design process. I was pleased to find that everything still made sense. It felt like every decision we made over 12 years ago was still the right one. Moreover, the house does not feel dated or from another time. It still fits. It is a house that is built to last.
We created internal spaces which engage with the natural world: thanks to carefully conceived openings, there is copious natural light from above, and the pine forest is ever-present. We chose raw materials that would last and age gracefully over time.
Thinking about the new homes, it is very tempting to add a design flourish, but from experience, these forest homes must be simple and rugged to withstand the 'icebox' winters and scorching peak summers. Simple, solid forms and raw materials require minimal maintenance and do not distract from the beautiful natural surroundings. So it's not back to the drawing board for me: we will simply be reworking the clear ideas we had all those years ago.
Are there features in your home that stand the test of time? Are there features you would like to add to give long-lasting benefits?