by Georges Lafontant | Aug, 2020 | Article, Design + Architecture, Tips + Inspiration
Consider the humble backyard cottage. Its name conjures up images of a cute grandmotherly abode nestled in deep green foliage. Indeed, this generally small and unassuming dwelling might seem more like a quaint guesthouse than a permanent place someone would choose to live. But people have been happily living in them for years and soon a lot more people-including people you know will be living in them, as well.
Read the full article here: Much Ado About ADUS by Laura Elfline
by Georges Lafontant | Jul, 2020 | Design + Architecture, Green Building, Uncategorized
I miss going into the office. Trapped at home, with my standing desk squeezed up against our dining table – there’s a lot I get to keep track of – between the dogs and the teens – and then again, there is A LOT to keep track of as well as hollering to keep it down for business calls/zoom meetings and just to think long enough to put two sentences together. Truthfully, it is often much better than that and yet when it’s not…. I really miss going into the office.
Home offices – wherever and however that is defined in your home — have been getting a workout these days. Some folks need the hustle and bustle to stay motivated, some need an ordered desk, a quieter space, a space to rock out in – the list is kinda endless. What is your ideal working space? Is there a shed you are dying to sequester to? A corner of the basement you want set for virtual schooling? Let’s talk about how we can make to make your spaces a better fit for all the extra time you and your family spends there. Give us a call to explore the options and check out some of the offices that we have worked on in this Instagram gallery.
Mighty House has barely missed a beat. We have been hard at work. Granted, not everything is moving forward at our usual pace, and yet this gives us a chance to share some of our experience getting things done under evolving COVID-19 conditions. All aspects of our work has been affected – both administratively and on-site. Rather than be dismayed and shut down by it, we innovate and find new ways to successfully do what we do. To start, we can fit less workers in a space (6 feet apart, people!). We are also seeing shipping slowdowns and warehouse shutdowns from COVID flareups around the country and less sales staff in warehouses, manufacturing, and showrooms often means slowed-down order processing. Never mind the increased precautions; hand washing stations, extra masks and PPE, distancing, and cleaning. One of our tricks is front load supplies for projects so that we don’t hit delays or product scarcity – it is cause for less space at Laura and Doug’s home, yet it keeps projects moving forward which means happy homeowners and staff.
Laura often talks about how flexibility and grace are key components of a successful remodel project… perhaps now more than ever.
Speaking of flexibility, you may have noticed that the NW Green Home Tour is going to be virtual this year. At Mighty House, we are embracing new technologies to bring out visitors a fantastic online tour that will display our work and the Green technologies that go into our projects. We are excited to present you an engaging and educational tour that will inspire your projects.
Something new and cool as well as important to know about is the City of Seattle’s new “Shaping Seattle” website. It is a map-based system that allows you to view permits, inspections, project status, and yes, even complaints for Seattle buildings projects. It is a great way to see if a permit has been granted or to check out the plans for the new DADU replacing the garage next door. And while much of this has been public information and accessible for a while, the new map-based system feels more accessible. And as such, even if your small project is a candidate for a permit and you’re thinking it’s barely worth bothering about, you might reconsider and prepare for the worst.
Shaping Seattle
This new, mobile-first map allows users to find active construction, land use, and Design Review permits in their neighborhood. The new map will make it easier for you to research active permits, find related documents and permit records, and comment on land use permits under review.
by Georges Lafontant | Apr, 2020 | Events - Workshops, Green Building, Tips + Inspiration
4-5 pm (PST)
Laura and Doug will be holding several Mighty House Construction open office hours via virtual platform on April 23, & 30 (and maybe beyond!). You bring your BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) and DIY quagmires and we’ll bring our healthy, functional and green construction experience. Log on with video on your phone or laptop and walk us through your house to get our professional opinions.
by Georges Lafontant | Apr, 2020 | Living, Tips + Inspiration
Friends,
We hope these times find you and yours healthy and treasuring those moments of reason when ever possible. The last few weeks have been daunting, frustrating, scary, and confusing for us — as we assume it also has been for many of you. As with most every individual and every business around the world, our personal and professional lives are adjusting on an hourly or daily basis to this COVID-19 temporary existence.
Our office staff started working remotely early in March while our field staff took measurers to ensure safety at our occupied-home projects until Washington State Governor Jay Inslee’s Stay Home – Stay Healthy Order was placed. For home remodeling, the Order notes that “In general, commercial and residential construction is not authorized under the proclamation because construction is not considered to be an essential activity.” He makes exceptions for emergency issues – erupting plumbing, broken heat, unintentional holes in the exterior, structural concerns, or other non-elective and immediately necessary home repairs. As such, on March 25th, we shuttered our current projects.
The MHC Team is patiently waiting (along with our entire WA State community) to understand exactly when we will go back to work and if there will be any restrictions with how we can work. We wish our lives, our clients lives, and the lives of everyone everywhere were easier right now; we are also super grateful to be able to take this break for the larger good..
Doug and I feel confident in the foundation of Mighty House surviving these unusual times. We have always and continue to move our company forward thoughtfully and conservatively and are engaging every avenue possible to best support our staff. Our goal is to pick up where we left off just as soon as it is safe and allowed.
In the meantime, Doug and I along with support staff are moving forward on prospective projects. We are also available to support you with your home ideas and future needs (as best possible given the physical distance) and are available by phone, email, and video meetups.
in health and community,
Laura and Doug
206-880-1550
by mightyhouse | Jan, 2020 | Events - Workshops, Green Building, Material Salvage + Reuse
Friday, Jan 24 – Sunday, Jan 26 | Washington State Convention Center | Halls 4EF 800 Convention Place, Seattle, WA 98101
The 2020 Northwest Remodeling Expo brings together hundreds of local and regional home improvement companies for one weekend only. Bigger and better than ever– at Seattle’s comprehensive “one stop” home improvement marketplace, you’ll discover new resources and companies to help you update and maintain your home.
Co-Owner Laura Elfline will be teaming up with Roy Stark McGarrah at the Expo during the seminar session Building a Carbon Neutral Backyard Cottage to talk about how Living Shelter Architects and Mighty House Construction designed and built a beautiful, industry and media acclaimed carbon neutral DADU (Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit) in Seattle’s Ravenna neighborhood at 11 AM on Saturday, January 25 at Center Stage. Click here to register for the seminar.
And Laura will be back at 4 pm on Saturday with Dirk Wassink of Second Use Building Materials to tell you about incorporating salvage into your remodeling project with their talk: Salvage Simplified. Click here to register for the seminar.
Come and visit us at Booth #1012!
