Whidbey High Performance Compact
The owners of this wooded property on Whidbey Island came to H2D Architecture + Design with a vision to build a high-performance compact new home on the site. The goal of the design was to limit the impact and footprint on the site in order to maintain as many of the trees as possible. A select number of trees were removed to accommodate the new driveway, house and shed location, and a small yard area. The remainder of the site has been left untouched to remain a wooded sanctuary around the home. The home design was developed around a desire for creating only the minimum amount of space necessary for this family of two. The final design is a one-story home with approximately 1350 sf including two bedrooms, two bathrooms, laundry, storage, mechanical, and open living area. The open living area has a vaulted ceiling, wall of windows looking out to the yard, and connection directly out to a covered patio area. The structure of the home was designed to be built with SIPS (Structurally Insulated Panel System). Both the walls and roof were built with the SIPS panels creating a highly energy efficient building envelope. The cabinetry in the home was built by the homeowner.
Architecture and Interior Design: H2D Architecture + Design
Green Consultant and Builder: Ted Clifton with Zero Energy Homes and Clifton View Homes
Photos by: Anastasiya Homes
Location: Whidbey Island, WA
Design Goals: The design for this wooded property on Whidbey Island centered on building lightly on the land while creating a high-performance, compact home tailored to a family of two. The primary goal was to minimize the footprint and preserve as many existing trees as possible, limiting site disturbance to only what was necessary for the driveway, house, shed, and a modest yard area. The remainder of the property was intentionally left untouched, allowing the home to sit within a preserved wooded sanctuary. The 1,350-square-foot, one-story residence was thoughtfully right-sized for this homeowner to include two bedrooms, two bathrooms, laundry, storage, mechanical space, and an open living area—providing exactly the amount of space needed without excess. The main living area features a vaulted ceiling and a wall of windows oriented toward the yard, creating a strong connection to the surrounding landscape and extending seamlessly to a covered patio. Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) were used for both the walls and roof to form a highly energy-efficient building envelope, supporting long-term comfort and performance. Custom cabinetry built by the homeowner adds a personal layer of craftsmanship to the finished home.
Style: Pacific Northwest Contemporary
Design Challenges + Site Constraints: Siting the home within a densely wooded landscape required a careful balance between environmental preservation and performance goals. A primary challenge was providing ample natural daylight and maintaining optimal solar access for future photovoltaic panels, all while removing as few trees as possible. The new home was strategically positioned with thoughtfully calibrated window placement and roof orientation to capture available light and sun exposure without compromising the integrity of the surrounding forest. This approach allowed the project to support long-term energy goals while preserving the character and canopy of the site.
Team:
+ Architecture: H2D Architecture + Design
+ Interior Design: H2D Architecture + Design
+ Green Consultantation and Built by: Zero Energy Homes and Clifton View Homes
+ Photography: Anastasiya Homes