This project was intended to be kept small and affordable from the start, easy to say, but hard to do when energy efficiency and professional design are incorporated. Not to mention making sure that 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths also fit in. The owners found Cedar Street Builders because of their focus on energy efficient and passive house construction, and together teamed with David Rausch Studio for the design. The owner wanted a home that was modern, but comfortable, and budget was key for the young couple. Together a design that was simple, yet elegant was formed, highlighted by the South stairway with a large window unit that has an operable Ipe shade making minimizing Southern sun in the summer achievable while inviting the low lying winter sun deep past the stair and into the dining and kitchen space. A budget was established early on in the process and met in the end. While spending money on durability and comfort (metal roof, ipe exterior accents, top of the line HVAC system with ERV for optimal indoor air quality) we were able to keep cost reasonable in other areas (Ikea cabinets assembled by owner, and some owner-made light fixtures for example). See also https://www.mysimplysimple.com/my-simply-simple/2018/5/12/the-modern-farmhouse-one-year-after-the-build