STUDIO WHITEHORSE

Manomet, MA - Climate Zone 5
Built 2023

Designed to weather.

New England is populated with numerous examples of colonial-era structures that have endured for 200 to 300 years; how can this typology be updated for the modern era? Designed to Passive House standards for healthy living and resiliency in a four-season climate, this studio space over a detached two-car garage seeks to answer that question.

Starting from a simple form reminiscent of the traditional houses of Cape Cod, the studio is a celebration of local and natural materials selected for their durability and endurance on a site often facing the brunt of seasonal Atlantic storms. A deliberate process of selection led to the specification of interior materials and systems intended for the comfort and health of those inside, including super-insulated wall assemblies, triple-glazed windows and an air-source heat pump. An ERV and a complete elimination of toxic materials were deliberate choices made to maintain indoor air quality. Environmental impact was considered throughout, focusing on natural materials with low or negative embodied carbon.

Architect & General Contractor - Joe Fisher Architect
Structural Engineer - Engineering Ventures
Civil Engineer - Merrill Engineers & Land Surveyors
Photography - Daniel J. Cardon