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 !

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

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.

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.

@annwithaplan9766

11 ай бұрын

Maybe if it had plants hanging on it in various places it wouldn't seem that way. To each his own. I'd like to know who owns the land it's sitting on.

@teresadee9442

11 ай бұрын

@@annwithaplan9766 the family in the home own it..they bought the land to build on

@G.G.G.zone7

11 ай бұрын

it is a compound, people built a suburban home in an alley in a city. how much crime happens in alleys? but it seems its mostly for blocking other houses views of their inner yard

@nononono3421

10 ай бұрын

I bet the presence of the home reduces the likelihood of crime compared to what was there before. Just needs a bit more greenery.

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.

@kirstendirksen

Жыл бұрын

They just moved in in the past year so it will be interesting to see how it evolves.

@stable-shadow

Жыл бұрын

​@@kirstendirksenGood one young lady..... this will be an interesting reveal over time.... have a good week, and thanks as always! 🕊️

@G.G.G.zone7

11 ай бұрын

Idk about non toxic since they used known cancer causing material in construction (sassafras) but guess the root beer smell is worth it for them.

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 KZread. 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.

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.

@o0OAnnamariaO0o

Жыл бұрын

Whoa, thank you for letting us know! I had no idea. I hope, that your child is okay now!

@AnnaCatherineB

10 ай бұрын

I was thinking that, because I thought brass was toxic to skin. Thanks for mentioning that. I wonder if they did something to mitigate that.

The use of mdf in the interior surprised me. If there is one toxix material to avoid it is mdf...

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!

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.

@lydiarowe491

Жыл бұрын

Thought the same ..they may have given all emphasis on the home ..maybe the greenery will come later...a Japanese maple in would work..

@Erika-gm2tf

Жыл бұрын

@@lydiarowe491 yes, that would be lovely. The house shows a lot of Japanese influence, especially in the eaves and the privacy factors.

@chezmoi42

Жыл бұрын

Maybe some vertical gardening on the walls?

@veronicabalfourpaul2288

Жыл бұрын

Lovely house. Just add some plant.😊

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

Black locust isn't a weed tree. It's the fence post tree. The wood wears like iron. It grows mostly straight. It also fixes nitrogen in the soil. Bees and other pollinators rely on the fragrant blossoms in the spring.

@AnnaCatherineB

10 ай бұрын

Maybe he meant it grows quickly and renews itself quickly after harvesting it. Many "weeds" are important to their eco system. And some are invasive and deadly to their eco system. Many invasive plants are not considered weeds. "Weed" has a nebulous definition

Cool aspects. Just don’t understand why it’s sooo large. Build smaller and fit a garden for children to play in, and food to be grown ❤ American house sizes with 2 bathrooms with 4 (!) sinks for one family just seems crazy. In Europe, most of us grew up with one bathroom and one sink per family, and we’re doing just fine 😂 less cleaning and less waste and resources

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.

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

@nikki6599

Жыл бұрын

It was NOT wasted space. It was well used and needed parking for that community.

@jenniboo9441

11 ай бұрын

You don't live there lol so why do you need anything?

@rosita3671

11 ай бұрын

@@jenniboo9441lighten up dearie…we are commenting …‼️

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

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.

@user-wv5fq8di2m

Жыл бұрын

That's beyond his comprehension. Don't bring it up.

@apex007

Жыл бұрын

@@user-wv5fq8di2m yea. He came off as the type that enjoys the smell of his own farts. Bottles them up and tries to resell them

@chezmoi42

Жыл бұрын

There are plywoods and MDFs made with non-toxic glues. A friend of mine, a mushroom grower here in France, has patented an MDF board made with straw and Pleurotus mycelium, and various myco-materials are being developed around the world.

@valerieann2751

Жыл бұрын

@@apex007 😂😂😂

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.

@drooplug

10 ай бұрын

I'm not sure about those off gassing claims about the drywall. It's made from paper and gypsum. I had a teacher that would plow it into his farm field to compost.

@lynnbetts4332

10 ай бұрын

@@drooplug He was the one who mentioned off-gassing of sheetrock. I would suspect it would be the glue used to adhere the paper to the gypsum. Plywood uses a lot more of the glues. Some even use a formaldehyde-based glue. I have a bigger concern for the all black room. Super hard to clean and can't see mold.

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

@bobbylee4270

Жыл бұрын

Agreed. Greenery in and out would soften all of the drab, built structures.

@sidilicious11

Жыл бұрын

And some colorful artwork on the walls.😁

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!

@agatarosati8570

Жыл бұрын

Like in Pompei

I appreciate that they dressed like bears.

@valerieann2751

Жыл бұрын

😂😂😂

@katierose1893

Жыл бұрын

I was gonna say with all that design knowledge, the man has no fashion sense.

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.

We have serious rat problems in DC alleyways. they are where garbage is placed for pickup. Be shocked if they don't chew their way into this lovely house. Not exactly what I call a safe playground with rat droppings everywhere

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.

Interesting. I can’t decide whether this is optimistic or dystopian living.

@James-In-Exile

Жыл бұрын

I felt the same. There's plenty to like, but ultimately for me it just feels too much like a bunker - as if it's shutting itself off from the community rather than connecting with it and promoting dialogue with the surrounding buildings.

@basicallyno1722

11 ай бұрын

It’s right in the middle of all these buildings….it makes sense to safeguard their own privacy rather than “promote dialogue” with the other buildings. I think “promoting dialogue” with the other building would make more sense if this was a commercial space

@rosita3671

11 ай бұрын

@@James-In-Exileit’s like having a bunker in a very public space!

@nononono3421

10 ай бұрын

@@rosita3671compared to what was there before?

@beefchicken

5 күн бұрын

@@nononono3421absolutely. What was there before wasn’t an wealthy enclave that existed completely separate from the community it is physically situated in.

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!

Hope they ditch the MDF as soon as they can upgrade to real wood. Kind of blows the "healthy" credentials.

Fascinating, creative use of previously unused space. I like their son's name too.

the way you have filmed these places... amazing work as always

It is a lovely home but I wonder why I didn’t see a single plant somewhere inside, living plants.

This guy is a really great designer! Wow, what a surprise! I really like what he’s done with the place, it’s so understated, bordering on ugly outside, and inside is fantastic.

Looks like an oversized garden shed and he's talking about is as though he has just built the basilica! There are parts of the build which are nice but with everything being brown including their clothes and the way this guy talks in the same tones the whole time it just ended up annoying me intensely. By the way love your videos Kirsten just my opinion on this one.

Nice. I would also like to see the mini-splits (25:34) and the HVAC/mechanical components of these places in addition to the architectural elements. BTW, this family understood the monochromatic assignment.

@rosita3671

11 ай бұрын

😂😂😂re monochromatic assignment ‼️

Cool and weird at the same time, the brass is interesting and incorporating the demo trees brilliant. Curious how they procured the land, what it cost and how they got all this past DCRA

@sapphirexwind

Жыл бұрын

Exactly, shocked DC allowed this!

So much space has been created internally to make up for what a garden could provide.... intregraty is what has been emphasized in the amazing home..love the brass sinks..thanks for this one.

The lack of vegetation and views and the very present fence gives a claustrophobic prison feeling.

Incredible how the house design matched their clothing.

@agatarosati8570

Жыл бұрын

Unbelievable!

@UnCannyValley67

11 ай бұрын

😂😂😂😂😂 A love of mustard is essential.

@wasabiginger6993

6 ай бұрын

😂 … they staged it all oh so almost too well … or maybe it’s the easy on the eyes home costumes appropriate IS how they always dress at home

They sure do like the color brown!

This actually makes me sad. I feel bad for all those DC neighbors that get to look at a cork house and 2x4 fence.. Nothing neoclassical, no architecture, no trees, nothing for the neighbors to see. This house could be in any corn field. Maybe they can put vines over the entire fence. Enough about the junk cars like they did the neighbors a favor...and all the talk about toxic materials when they have no plantings for oxygen. Breathing rootbeer from the 2x4's doesn't really count.

@basicallyno1722

11 ай бұрын

Feel bad for them? Before the house the entire yard was a junkyard for unwanted cars…..feel bad for what?

@basicallyno1722

11 ай бұрын

Also their own yards look a bit trashy. They’re more than capable of beautifying their own yards.

Innovative ideas, but I couldn't live in a space like this. Being devoid of plants is the #1 issue for me, but high fencing as well as the netting used around the staircase makes the space feel like it's a cage. I kept thinking "this feels more like a prison than a home".

@77cns

11 ай бұрын

I felt that too

I like it very much. But I wonder why they have no plants anywhere. Cultural perspective I guess - homes have plants in my world.

@rcmrcm3370

Жыл бұрын

The house is a collection of trees.

@Amanda-jd8xs

Жыл бұрын

@@rcmrcm3370 indeed. But not living trees ☺

@rosita3671

11 ай бұрын

Good question… perhaps they will send a message…. for me, the house feels unfinished…hardly any plants and no paintings and pictures of any kind. Bland….Right now everything is in its place but unless they’re going to run around tidying up constantly …where are building toys etc the child is growing and will need spaces where things can be left out. Did you notice they’re all dressed in similar outfits in the same colours?!Oh well… to each his own.

@bawlingchicken1

11 ай бұрын

Maybe they're like me... black thumb. I love them, but I don't want to sentence them to death trying to live in my dark house.

@sjn0202

11 ай бұрын

Hard floors, no gardens, no plants....weird

A Mulberry tree is not a weed tree :)

@eliaspman

Жыл бұрын

seriously!!

This is so beautiful! love the use of all-natural materials. Thanks for showing this wonderful home & happy family!

It is a well built consciences home, but it reminds me of a frontier fort from the old days. What about plants and flowers and a pet?

personal opinion, don't know why but this for me was one of the best video, beautiful house & lovely family, bless

Loving this. Wonderful home . Great ideas of use of space from inside of the home and outside to the location where the house is built. Beautifully done.

For being such "earthy " people, I'm surprised there's no plants or greenery. . .it's very inventive, but I prefer a cozy home and nature over just a lot of wood. Tto each their own! It's great how they utilize the lot.

Wow! That’s truly amazing. So well thought out. Just lovely.

that baby is showing guests around the house quite as effectively as his dad.

Love your place. So amazing. You both have done a great job as a lot of thought has gone into this home. Well done.

Yes! Beautiful! It would be amazing to see how container gardens and hanging plants in the exterior spaces could further their vision of honesty, warmth and privacy for their family. Imagine the softness & sensory input it would allow their family to experience.

The Best EVER!!! THANK you!!!!

That bath would be really awesome with a constellation. Showering in space!

Love the house. Wish there was a way to change developers on how they build and build track homes like this. Love how natural materials were used.

I think this house is perfect. The layout and use of space and light is superb.

Uffff just beautiful…. Thank you ….Kirsten …. 🙏🙏🙏

This is my favorite house of all your videos. I love the design and natural décor. Permanently relocating nearby makes this home design number one in my book!

This was the most fascinating build I've ever seen. 👏🏽 👏🏽👏🏽

This house has one of the most incredible bathrooms I have ever seen ❤ Hopefully i will replicate this in my own home one day.

This is a beautiful and soothing space!

Great video! I've seen this building covered on Yellowtrace and loved it, so I got really excited to see that you did a video on it!

This may be my favorite house you've shared to date....!!

I love the play net, it’s so rare you see floors connected so effectively. Although as a parent of young children, the white sofa makes me nervous 😂

Love the mindfulness of this home for city living!🎉❤

Love the way their clothes match the house colors! Pleasant house and outdoor area.

LOVE this house, love the cladding, the different types of wood, the lighting, the matching outfits, the adorable family, the use of wasted car space to build in, the style everything. Two things though imo... They DESPARATELY need some greenery... a few plants in that outside space and around the house... it's weird to see a wooden-clad space as sterile. And I'd have to do some color on that fence. With the gray bark cladding its a lot of gray, imo.

I like when everyone's saying the master bedroom is a quiet soundproof space, yet there's a dog barking.

It's nice, but having the fence entirely around the house would bother me. I could live there if it had dozens of plants and trees in and around it. I love the healthy part of it. Also clearing out the junk that was in the space prior to breaking ground. That would have likely grown. Thanks Kirsten for sharing this interesting home with us.♡

@Francoberry

Жыл бұрын

It makes the place look like a compound which is really aggressively separated from the community it's built in.

@77cns

11 ай бұрын

Agreed

@lindalee5866

10 ай бұрын

@@Francoberry That is exactly what I felt the moment the video focused on the exterior of the house. Compound! I would not like to live in one of the surrounding homes with a view of this house. This space could have housed 3 small homes - or 4 'tiny homes' if you like, along with some needed green space! I'm pro- 'less is more' re living space. I also find the interior a bit cold, aesthetically. I wonder what the taxes are on this place.

Lovely design, such a great use of natural resources 💞💞...

Beautiful and impressive home!

I like the house but what is the point of a house without a yard for kids to run and play in? Or a dog?

Congratulations, extremely unique & inspirational. 👀👀👍🏾👍🏾👏🏾👏🏾

What a beautiful natural and healthy home. I really love it. ❤️ ❤❤🎉

I like the design concept, but to use such a large alley space for a single family house seems contrary to the solution for solving the housing crisis. I’d rather see a multi family unit being built to accommodate more families.

@chezmoi42

Жыл бұрын

It's still an alley, where they need to allow for the circulation of residents' cars and the garbage trucks.

@not.likely

Жыл бұрын

I disagree. It's a suburb, it's not a squatter camp

How did zoning let you get away with a 9-ish foot fence?

@nononono3421

10 ай бұрын

Considering what was there before it was the good decision.

this is breathtaking..

Looks nice but... the lack of greenery. For something branded as "natural" it seems very unnatural to me to lack plants. I'm all for plain, easy on the eye textures. But for some reason it's overwhelming plainness.

@MBMCincy63

Жыл бұрын

I agree, it's missing green space, live plants.

@viktork455

Жыл бұрын

I agree - couple of small trees between house and fence would make it feel way better

@PackaGame

Жыл бұрын

Good point, it’s very Japanese in that way. Lots of natural woods, not little in the way of vegetation decoration. Also no art on the wall is interesting, I kinda like it but it definitely feels subliminal.

@fitztastico

11 ай бұрын

I totally get that this house would be perfect for some people, but I'm pretty sure I would lose my mind and redrum my family if I lived here. Even just seeing on my phone makes me want to scream

@AmanSingh-wb5tp

11 ай бұрын

Expected some greenery in the house

Thank you.

They didn't show were the laundry is- Was it on the first floor you can see door in the foyer area and a door in his office area- is that the laundry Hvac area? The outdoor part of the splits could be in that fenced off area... Then it looks like there is a patio door also.

Very nice! I love it!

Really love the materials this house built on. First time that I heard about milk paint. The entrance door is unique.

What a pretty and clever home!

Nice. But how monotonic beige it all is. And the family all dress to match it....

Sheet rock is definitely biodegradable. We throw the scraps out in the garden and it disappears quickly. Great looking house but the owner isn’t telling the whole truth about building materials.

mindblowingly beautiful. truth is beauty indeed. and health is wealth. love the "in praise of shadows" areas, the whole thing! kudos!

Nice. Do they have a construction cost and land cost breakdown? Couldn’t see it in the transcript

@CeeCee-cx6ks

Жыл бұрын

Yes, the cost. My thought was, there is no way the house they built/how they built it was cheaper than an older row home they could have bought and fixed up. You have to hire specialist due to the materials they used to built that compound. I am no expert, but....

Some great inspirational ideas

I like the concept they have for the bedroom. i feel relaxed just looking at it.

Very beautiful home and family...your videos are awesome.....Vicky

I love Yuppie Millennials. They make Hippie Boomers seems like cavemen.

I love everything about this home! It’s amazing architecture and warm yet breathable! Bravo!

Wow, absolutely love this home (the interior) . And I would love to know where the sofa is from, looks soooo comfy

Love this home so much. The Root Beer add on is quite a bonus! :-)

Stunning!! 😮

architecture in its best light

Love the use of natural light and the way it changes through the day. Not sold on the black bathroom yet.

Love it. So unusual but looks entirely comfortable.

Great video as always :-)

This house is almost perfect. Where are the greens? Please add little plants, trees, or veins. 🏵🌻🌲🌳🌴🌿☘🍀🌾

awesome thanks for video