The Preserve I Home by Studio Schicketanz: Modern Wood-Clad Retreat

The Preserve I Home is a recently completed, multi-family residential compound. It demonstrates how thoughtful design, modular construction, and environmental sensitivity can coexist in a single project.

Studio Schicketanz conceived the project for its founder, Mary Ann Schicketanz, and her son’s young family. The compound sits at the edge of California’s Los Padres National Forest and offers a real-world model for sustainable, affordable, and well-crafted homes using prefabrication.

A Family Compound Rooted in Place and Purpose

Set within a planned community bordering the Los Padres National Forest, The Preserve I Home is more than a house. It is a carefully arranged compound designed to strengthen family connections while allowing for personal independence.

The location required an approach that was both environmentally sensitive and architecturally restrained. The project was designed as a close-knit enclave that respects the land and uses modern building methods.

It shows how multi-generational living can be achieved without large, resource-heavy construction.

Two Homes, One Shared Vision

The compound includes two main components:

This setup supports independent yet interconnected living. Each structure offers privacy, but their proximity encourages daily interaction and support.

Designing to Sit Lightly on the Land

Both homes were designed to “sit lightly on the land.” The site’s closeness to a national forest increases the need for ecological care, careful resource use, and visual sensitivity.

The design minimizes disturbance while focusing on long-term resilience and comfort. Compact forms, efficient layouts, and materials suited to climate and context are key features.

Environmental Sensitivity and Sustainability

Long-term sustainability guided the design from the start. Strategies include:

Affordability, Efficiency, and the Role of Prefabrication

Affordability and energy efficiency shaped both the design and construction. The Preserve I Home shows how prefabrication can help meet financial and environmental goals.

The family and Studio Schicketanz worked together to align budget, performance, and aesthetic aims. They focused on simplicity, quality, and low operational energy use.

Method Homes and Precision Modular Construction

Studio Schicketanz partnered with Method Homes, a manufacturer known for precise modular housing. This partnership offered several benefits:

The prefabricated modules met the studio’s design standards and provided a reliable, high-performance building envelope.

Collaborative Design for a Shared Set of Values

The family’s involvement with the design team was essential. The process focused on shared values—simplicity, quality, and ecological responsibility.

This alignment made decisions clear and consistent, helping the project stay true to its original intent.

A Prototype for Future Sustainable Communities

Completed in 2025, The Preserve I Home is a built case study in how carefully executed prefabrication can deliver elegant, sustainable, family-centered architecture.

This is not just a custom home; it is a prototype with broader implications for planned communities and environmentally sensitive sites.

For architects and engineers, the project shows a way forward by using modular technology and respecting the landscape.

It is designed for multigenerational living and focuses on long-term sustainability.

 
Here is the source article for this story: The Preserve I Home / Studio Schicketanz