Surprisingly Simple

Simplicity also played a big role in the look of the house. “We didn’t want to create a huge waste of materials for grandiose reasons,” Peter says. “We wanted the construction to be the delight.” You won’t find heavy interior moldings and embellishments here. Drywall was wrapped around corners and reinforced without the need for trim work. The 8-inch-wide masonry units (a fancy way of saying “cinder blocks”) were a sustainable and economical choice for the exterior walls. “They’re relatively inexpensive, they offer great insulation, they’re strong, and their depth gives the house a look of soundness and stability,” says Peter.

Check out our Green Glossary