NKBA Professional Spotlight
Best Sustainable Bathroom Winner
2009 NKBA Design Competition
Brian M. Johnson, AIA
Collaborative Design Architects
Billings, MT
Brian M. Johnson began a project, which came to be known as Wild Plum, a name derived from the native vegetation found on the property, which consists of 200 acres of rugged, yet beautiful Montana terrain. The project was a single-family home with an open floor plan and honest architecture, constructed under the application of sustainable principles.
The master bathroom was to be a retreat, a space where the client could wind down from a rigorous daily regimen. The client wanted to take in the natural beauty of the outdoors and soft light of the home site, while enjoying the New York Times and a glass of Pinot Noir in his own personal spa.
Johnson, an architect and graduate from Montana State University in Bozeman, has been designing for the past 14 years. He worked diligently with the client in the preliminary phases of design to establish a priority list of green techniques that would become integral to the project’s evolution. The list was comprised of four major components: the site, materials, methods, and systems. Johnson feels his role with the client is that of an interpreter. He listens, talks, sketches, and creates models and floor plans to produce a beautiful, artistic result that works for and with not only the client, but also the site itself.
Johnson pays special attention to how the house balances with a site, and the bathroom sanctuary was given particular consideration. From the Zen-like tub area, the homeowner can view the "coulee"—a small valley that sits just outside the expansive windows. In addition, well-placed native boulders border an area that precedes the valley.
As part of the bathroom design, the need for refined separation between the diverse activities around the lavatories, shower, and toilet, was recognized. The solution was to physically allocate the areas with walls and doors in an effort to divide the space. The use of doors created areas of solitude. Glass block and windows allowed for natural light and scenic views, bringing the spaces together.
"The idea of designing a project with green practices in mind is a characteristic that should be imperative to a design’s evolution, not a punch line," Johnson said. "It’s important to understand that no matter how green a project is, without art the whole idea of sustainability fails." The cabinets feature warm bamboo and walnut veneers. The overall brown tones of tile, cabinetry, and flooring convey a grounded, earthy quality to provide a strong foundation for the room.
The tub area represents a monolithic decompression space for the client. Johnson confirms that a separate room created for the tub allows for the peaceful solitude that was desired. The use of cool concrete flooring stained mottled brown and warmed with the technology of radiant heating, provides balance to the white utilitarian lighting. Creative tile patterning in tan and taupe, in addition to yellow and ivory-toned walls, offers comfortable harmony to the otherwise broad space. Johnson implemented the honest architecture the client wanted by allowing the skeletal and mechanical components of the structure to be visible. Designing this way requires special attention to the appearance of these typically-hidden components in the overall visual intake of the room. “I believe in using smart green strategies," Johnson affirmed. "Many of these methods are free. Nature supplies the how-to on many aspects of sustainability."
Johnson is obviously passionate about the quality of living in his home state and tapped into his ardor when he brought this design to life. When referring to Wild Plum and the state it rests in, Johnson says "It truly encapsulates what is meant by Montana’s slogan – The Last Best Place."