The Lightbox is slated for a site located in a densely forested area in Point Roberts, Washington, a peninsula of land extending south of the Canadian border yet remote from the U.S. mainland.

The small 65 foot by 120 foot prototype building, designed as a home and studio for an architectural photographer, accommodates a 1,200 square foot program for both living and working studio arranged on three levels to reduce the building footprint and impact on the trees.

Lighting studies allowed us to maximize the quality of daylight and also the visual effect of internal lighting at night utilizing a composition of solid fiber cement siding, translucent polycarbonate, and clear glass. Solid panels conceal storage and mechanical rooms. Translucent panels provide privacy while allowing diffused light. The planes of clear glass reduce the visual mass of the building and frame views into the dense forest.

The structure was approached as a case study for economical construction. Stock dimensioned lumber is spaced 5 feet on center to utilize the least amount of material to accommodate the aluminum framed windows of which the 5 foot by 8 foot module proved to be most economical. While planned for a more private context, the Lightbox can be easily adapted for a more urban neighborhood. Additive modular panels, utilized for hanging art as well as privacy, will allow the design to be modified for the conditions of each specific site ranging from rural to urban locations.