Young family turns parking lot into stunning eco-home (DC alley)

On a back alley in Washington DC where only a few weed trees grew between derelict cars, Andrew and Hannah Linn erected a totally compostable house of bamboo, cork, wool and wood as a healthy, and affordable, home for their growing family.

“For over a century, people lived in hundreds of wooden homes in DC's alleys until the Alley Dwelling Authority "developed" and "renovated" the alleys by demolishing them in the 1930's and 1940's,” explains Linn’s website BLDUS. “Seventy years later, in 2016, DC's zoning regulations were removed, once again permitting alley living in the District.”

There are over 3000 alleys in DC, many of them currently parking lots or trash storage, that could become homes. Calling his a farm-to-shelter building, Linn used local materials, even trees felled and milled at the site. The primary wall material is BamCore, hybrid bamboo-wood plywood panels that eliminate studs in walls, thereby eliminating thermal bridges and improving the home’s insulating performance.

There’s no space for a backyard so, inspired by the Roman Domus, Linn and architecture partner Jack Becker, created a center of the house open to the exterior with a huge skylight that illuminates both the second and first floor by using net flooring on half the second floor. Nearly everything material in the home is natural: from the wood pavers to the milk paint.

[lomalinke]

It reminds me of traditional Japanese Houses, but at the same time it's so inventive and new and stylish that I don't think I've ever seen anything like it. What an amazing accomplishment to use a once lost inner city space this way.

[Jagueyes]

It never ceases to amaze me, the vision, ability and creativity of the guests on this channel. Amazing home.

[RevdUp.Art.Fotografer]

I'd like to add Kristen that I really appreciate the quality of your videos. From the the 'feel' of them, the content, shooting, editing, sound, etc...they feel so much 'more' than all the others on YouTube. And then, of course, there is the fact that you go to so many different and interesting places and talk to so many interesting and different people. I also like that your husband is a part of this and so are the kids sometimes. The kids are great and I think it's wonderful that you bring them to so many places most kids do not get to visit and experience. Thank you.

[RealSalica]

I love everything about this house ....at first seeing the outside I thought I would hate it, but after seeing the inside I totally understand why they had to make it like this . Amazing !

[ProudAmericanPhil]

Definitely an interesting Building Concept. There are a lot of very interesting features inside the home as well. I noticed he spoke of honesty in this video and I've got to be honest and say that I was getting kind of a cultish vibe from the couple

[d.]

In case it's helpful to the homeowners or anyone else who sees this, I'm a big fan of unlacquered brass too, but found out after my youngest child had lead poisoning that all brass consists of a significant percentage of lead, and especially when left unlacquered on items regularly handled or the like, that lead can make its way into our systems and, even in microscopic amounts, cause significant and permanent damage, especially to the neurological development of little ones. Much love.

[sidilicious]

Put some art on the walls and potted plants out in the little patios, and it’s ready to go. What a nice place. I love that it’s a non-toxic home.

[irenelnrs]

the only thing that i am really missing in this home its plants and greenery. It feels a little too cold for me i guess.

[liammerkle]

My favorite aspect of the house is Roman architecture inspires peaked roof with the atrium, giving light access to the space. Very insightful for future builders. Thank you for sharing!

[Thomasr]

Their creativity and proof of concept is off the charts - but I honestly felt a prison vibe with the close high fences, large power line cable mere feet from their roof, and stark lack of decoration. They channel a modern hippie ethic with bare feet, all clad in basic brown clothing, and use of bark and the large pivot door on the house. The white sectional sofa pops because it is surrounded by a sea of brown. I like wood, but with the heavy monochromatic brown theme I find this color scheme very drab. I'm not sure about the blackout room. Super creative play space, fun for the kiddo. There does appear to be mold along a lot of the bottom foot of the fence - I think they goofed on airflow/gaps. This house reminds me of a Chinese nail house, stubbornly standing in an alley area. Definitely one of the more unique homes you have showcased!

[lynnbetts]

He talked about the off-gassing of sheetrock, but plywood also off-gasses from the glues used. He didn't mention the finish on all that plywood. I'm not sure about all black in the bathroom. The humidity there creates an environment for mold, and with black, you can't see it.

[JaiSheha]

This is the most amazing house I’ve ever seen. The workmanship and ingenuity in the materials used is incredible. Frankly it was relaxing to watch. Great show.

[James-In-Exile]

The house is nice enough and I admire the commitment to environmentally-friendly building materials, but that brown fence ringing the house feels oppressive – more like a prison compound than a home.

[Erika-gmtf]

I love brilliant infill contruction--like this! Lovely, fun, warm home.
I think i would have put some live greenery in the surrounding yards. Its very healthful to have greenery cleansing our air in the middle of the city.

[NicolaasBurgers]

I do agree with some of the comments regarding greenery - it's a great house that would be made even better with at least some climbing plants in the side yards climbing either the fence or the wall.

[jasonbeedon]

I love the creativity and thoughtfulness that went into this home. Excellent. I don’t think I could do the black bedroom and bathroom…but I love how they enjoy it. Building houses is an art!

[catlover]

i kinda hope some of the wasted alleyway space can be turned into lawn / veg patch for the community. like some others have said i miss greenery. it's really a very interesting house but i need greenery

[suziseha]

Wonderful.... just lacking plants! It would look (and feel imagine) gorgeous with plants inside and out.

[apex]

I wasn't aware that drywall off gases, but plywood 100% off gases as well. The glue contains formaldehyde. Not sure why he thought one was better than the other besides aesthetic.

[MagicNomadic]

when he opened his closets, I TOTALLY expected it to be full of brown sweats and hoodies....whew!