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Natural Number Houses




Natural Number Houses


Natural Number Houses starts with a simple rule: build with standard cross laminated timber panels—solid wood panels made from layers of boards glued at right angles—and waste nothing. We cut and fold panels like origami, then turn every off‑cut into structure, shelves, or shade, so almost nothing goes to the dumpster. Windows and small courtyards land where the panel plan naturally leaves openings, turning a limit into light, views, and breezes. The series grows by counting: House 1 uses one panel; House 2 adds another (1+2); House 3 adds a third (1+2+3), and so on—so a family can start small and expand within the same kit. We draw from regional species—white spruce, southern yellow pine, hemlock, larch, tulip poplar, and eastern white pine—to support local forests. Screw‑together connections make repair and future changes easy. We also share “carbon equivalents,” which translate the carbon the wood stores into everyday comparisons—like years of subway rides instead of car trips—so the benefit is easy to understand.


Team: Lindsey Wikstrom, Jean Suh

 




Index
Cross Laminated Timber blanks (11’ x 40’) are sliced into panels and brought together like origami while leaving openings for views and light. Each house adds a panel 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 ... and is designed with different species in mind, from White Spruce, Southern Yellow Pine, Hemlock, Larch, Tulip Poplar and Eastern White Pine. The project also explores the narrative technique of equivalents, where sequestered carbon is equated to a more familiar aspect of life to better frame its value.

House 1 would sequester 8 tons of #carbon — the equivalent of commuting on the subway for 4 years instead of by car.

House 2 would sequester 18 tons of #carbon — the equivalent of wearing a sweater every winter for 20 years instead of adjusting your thermostat from 68 to 70 degrees.

House 3 would sequester 21 tons of #carbon — the equivalent of the energy savings of 16 meetings on zoom instead of in person.

House 4 would sequester 32 tons of #carbon — the equivalent of recycling 350,600 plastic bottles.

House 5 would sequester 40 tons of #carbon — the equivalent of convincing 23 meat lovers going vegan for 1 year.

House 6 would sequester 48 tons of #carbon — the equivalent of deleting 10,886,328 emails.

House 7 would sequester 56 tons of #carbon — the equivalent of one person buying an electric car instead of a gas car and driving it for 15 years.