Martis Camp-63: Casita
-Ground Source Heat Pump
-Insulation from Thermal Mass
-Hydro-Thermal Hot Water
-Living green roof
-Ample natural light from windows and skylights
-Will be connected to the main house's Solar PV
"We are very satisfied with the work MWA did for us. They have been helpful and responsive during every phase of the project. They listened carefully to us and created a beautiful design which met our needs, and optimized the beauty and functionality of our home in our location. We hired them for the variety and creativity they showed in their previous projects and they did not let us down." -Owner
| Location: | Martis Camp |
| Style: | Casita |
| Architect: | Kristi Thompson - MWA, Inc. |
| Builder: | Jeff Cotton Construction |
| Structural Engineer: | Miranda Holback |
| Year Completed: | 2012 |
| Square Feet: | 915 SF Living + 681 SF Garage |
My wife and I hired Kurt Reinkens of MWA in 2005 after we purchased land to build a vacation home in the Lake Tahoe resort community of Lahontan. MWA was and still is, in our estimation, the top architectural firm in the Tahoe area, and our experience with MWA over the course of the design and construction of our home exceeded even our high expectations.
MWA is intimately familiar with the design standards in the area in general and in Lahontan in particular. It is clear that Lahontan's Design Review Board (LDRB) has developed a high degree of familiarity and trust with MWA, and this trust was integral to what ended up being a relatively smooth and hassle-free process with the LDRB. MWA was able to anticipate the needs of the LDRB and, in the few occasions were design modifications were recommended, come up with creative solutions that met those recommendations efficiently and cost-effectively.
MWA is also quite good with builders. Unlike some architects who design imaginary buildings that are extremely difficult or expensive to construct, MWAs designs, while innovative and always interesting, are practical and buildable. MWA was very involved with my builder throughout the construction process and worked to address his issues and questions in a timely manner.
Finally, the architectural aspects of our recently completed home are amazing. It seems that we notice new architectural features to the structure every time we visit our home. We couldn't be happier with the architecture of the structure, how the rooms and spaces are in synch with one another, how the house relates to the natural environment, and the window placements and rooflines, just to name a few aspects that stand out.
I would recommend MWA to anyone for these reasons. Our experience was overwhelmingly positive.
MWA is intimately familiar with the design standards in the area in general and in Lahontan in particular. It is clear that Lahontan's Design Review Board (LDRB) has developed a high degree of familiarity and trust with MWA, and this trust was integral to what ended up being a relatively smooth and hassle-free process with the LDRB. MWA was able to anticipate the needs of the LDRB and, in the few occasions were design modifications were recommended, come up with creative solutions that met those recommendations efficiently and cost-effectively.
MWA is also quite good with builders. Unlike some architects who design imaginary buildings that are extremely difficult or expensive to construct, MWAs designs, while innovative and always interesting, are practical and buildable. MWA was very involved with my builder throughout the construction process and worked to address his issues and questions in a timely manner.
Finally, the architectural aspects of our recently completed home are amazing. It seems that we notice new architectural features to the structure every time we visit our home. We couldn't be happier with the architecture of the structure, how the rooms and spaces are in synch with one another, how the house relates to the natural environment, and the window placements and rooflines, just to name a few aspects that stand out.
I would recommend MWA to anyone for these reasons. Our experience was overwhelmingly positive.
Caine Moss