Preview our modern Lindal home styles and design process, including pricing and project timelines.

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Learn how we adhere to Wright’s original principles of Usonian home design while respecting and incorporating our clients’ lifestyle needs in a presentation by designers Aris Georges and Christina Lindal.  A live Q&A follows the presentation.

Lindal is the only home design company to receive the endorsement of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.

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Evolve adds four primary features that will be in demand for generations:

1) Sheltered Outdoor Living

Every Evolve home features a great room-sized outdoor breezeway totally open on two sides that can either be fully enclosed or left open.

Fully Open

Bifold Doors

Garage Doors

2) Privacy on Demand

The Evolve modern home is comprised of two living volumes. The primary volume includes a well-proportioned owner’s suite and the home’s great room.  A secondary volume is dedicated to private home offices, an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) for parents, a two-bedroom suite for grown children and grandkids, or a private guest suite. Whatever the use, it provides a highly valued benefit rarely experienced in other homes: total privacy.

3) Flexible Floor Plans

For families with a young child or children, a two bedroom kids’ suite with dedicated learning and play space may be added on a level above or below the primary volume, depending on the site’s topography. Evolve designs can be extensively personalized using Lindal’s extensive system options to create different styles, sizes, and room configurations.

4) Energy-Efficiency

Essentially building green is building with sustainable materials, healthy finishes, replacing the use of fossil fuel with renewable energy resources, avoiding the burning of wood and other cellulose, and consuming material judiciously. Each Evolve design is energy efficient and offers several opportunities for further reducing your carbon footprint. All celebrate the incomparable Lindal connection to nature.

Learn More

See the Evolve 1820 Home Style >>

See floor plans and renderings of all the homes in the Evolve Portfolio: Sign up to view our free Evolve digital plan book >>

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CLICK THE LOGO TO READ THE ARTICLE: 

Click the Wall Street Journal logo above for a link to the full article by Fred Bernstein.

Read about Lindal’s exclusive license to design homes inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian-style homes, and homeowner Mark Lloyd’s experience building his dream house with Lindal based on Wright’s Bachman-Wilson House.

Links to More Information

Learn More About the Lindal Imagine Series >>

View images & floor plans of the Crystal Springs home, based on Wright’s Bachman Wilson design >>

Watch a webinar on the Imagine Series of Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired Usonian-style homes  >>

Learn more about the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation >>

Purchase a House Plan Book with images of completed homes >>

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by Josefin Kannin

Growing up in rural Nigeria as the daughter of medical missionaries, Laurie Pitman learned by necessity a do-it-yourself approach to life’s challenges that has served her well throughout her life, including her homebuilding adventures.

Laurie today with her border collie, Emma.

A Polymath With Many Interests

Laurie, 69, is a polymath with many interests and multiple careers in music, aviation, history, languages, engineering, and business. Originally trained as a classical pianist, she worked as a professional pilot in the 1980s, then went back to school to earn a master’s in library science while studying for a PhD in Ottoman literature. In the 1990s she moved to the Bay Area, where she cofounded a highly successful software company that was sold to Oracle in 2008.

Following a temporary retirement, she owned and operated a Bay Area helicopter business until her “real” retirement in 2012.

“The Art of the Hammer”

Along the way, she developed an interest in eco-friendly home design and renovation. “I’ve done something significant to every house I’ve owned,” she said, “which goes back to the tiny bungalow I bought for $25,000 in 1977.”

She spent over two years after her “first” retirement renovating a 1915, 8,000 square foot neoclassical house in the center of San Francisco. “I have a lot of history in the Art of the Hammer, as my dad called it,” she said with a laugh.

Her first Net Zero home was an off-the-grid house in the Berkeley Hills of California, which she built in 2015.

A New Adventure

By the time 2020 rolled around, “I needed a new adventure,” Laurie said. She purchased 10 acres of undeveloped land in Southworth, an unincorporated community in Kitsap County, Washington, that was sunny enough to support solar power. She put her Berkeley house on the market for $2.35 million and left the Bay Area, her home for 30-plus years, to start a new life – and the custom build process – all over again.

A couple of friends who lived in an A-frame house near her new property showed her some of their Lindal house plan books, featuring classic post-and-beam homes with prow fronts and high-pitched roofs. On the Lindal website, she discovered the company’s modern homes, which were more in line with her own aesthetic, and reached out to local Lindal representative Michael Harris of Warmmodern Living to design her new home.

“I’m a geek,” Laurie said. “I was a software engineer for many years, and I’m really fascinated by new technology, and trying to be conscious of the resources that I consume and what I’m leaving behind.”

The Lindal Custom Design Process

Laurie worked with Michael, who holds a degree in architecture from MIT, to extensively modify an existing design – the popular Lindal Elements Cedar model featuring two mono pitch roofs – to meet her site, lifestyle needs, and desire for sustainable living.

“Every major living space enjoys a panoramic view through south-facing glass to a gently sloping field of rockery and wildflowers planted by Laurie,” Michael said of the highly personalized design. “A flagstone terrace off the great room provides the opportunity to dine or relax surrounded by the flowing landscape.”

Laurie incorporated everything she learned from her Berkeley house project – while taking full advantage of significant improvements in resources and technology – to build her fully Net Zero Lindal home.

“I lived in an RV on site for two winters while I was building the house, so I was here every day,” she said. “The first thing I had to do was get electrical service onto the property – a well needs power to pump, so you have to get that established first. I lived in the RV for three months before the well was dug, so I had electrical but no well water, only the RV tanks. I will never get over the luxury of a hot shower!”

“Once I made the decision, it took six months to get a permit,” Laurie said, noting that when the design was complete, permitting and construction took 17 months from start to finish. “I had my first delivery before I had people lined up to build it! I acted as my own General Contractor; you can do that if it’s your primary residence.”

Increasing Interest in Eco-Friendly Living

Michael noted that over the last few years he’s seen a significant increase in his clients’ interest in sustainable living.

“I think the pandemic forced people to be at home and start thinking about the environment more,” he said. “Being in nature and conserving energy are more important than ever. My last five projects were all off the grid, and in the previous five years there were none.”

Laurie was pleasantly surprised by the improvements in environmentally friendly products available for private residences in the five-year interval between her first and second new home builds. “Everything was cheaper, smaller, faster and more efficient,” she said.

“I had 53 solar panels on my [old] roof. Now I have 38 panels producing the same amount of energy.” Her old house was 2,213 square feet, whereas the new one is a compact 1,377 square feet – “a much more sensible size for me.”

Laurie installed three batteries in the garage to store energy from the solar panels. “I really need the batteries. I live in a rural area and lose power often.” While the home isn’t technically off-the-grid, the batteries generate enough power to keep essential electrical systems functioning in the event of a power outage. And Laurie finds her panels generate enough solar energy that she often ends up donating power back to the grid.

She chose a standing seam metal roof for longevity and fire-resistance. It also made installing the solar panels easy. “They put the panels on rails that slide on top and bottom. The rails attach to the standing seam of the roof with brackets that grip the roof without piercing it.”

There is no gas in the home. A heat pump outside the garage creates hot water for radiant heat in the floors, which are poured concrete.

“I love my concrete floors and that too is part of a net zero home – no forced air heat, no blower,” Laurie said. “Radiant heat and concrete floors keep the house cool in summer and warm in winter.”

There is no air conditioning, only the natural convection currents made possible by openable windows in the main rooms that allow for passive cooling via the flow of natural breezes. “I installed ceiling fans in all three bedrooms and the library that circulate air in the living, dining, and kitchen area.”

Hot water comes from a 55-gallon electric boiler for the hot water heater.

The Net Zero House – An Option for Everyone

Laurie is convinced that a Net Zero house is a viable option for anyone looking to build a new home. “I hope this article inspires other people to build net zero,” she said. “I don’t think it’s any more expensive now than building normally. If you are curious and willing to do the research, you don’t have to have a lot of technical background. If you don’t have the technical know-how, you need to hire someone who does. You don’t have to be an engineer; you just have to be interested in the topic and go and look for things. Part of it is having a clear vision of what you want. Every change order adds a week.”

Besides the carbon neutral footprint, Laurie has found many other things to love about her new home. “This is my forever home,” she said. “I built it for me. My favorite space is the great room. I love sitting on the couch and looking out toward the water.”

Laurie, who names all her homes, calls this one Mirabel, because “I love the plums, and the loose translation of the word is ‘wondrous beauty.'”

The most personal space in the house is the library/piano practice space that is open to the great room. Hundreds of books line three walls that embrace a concert grand that Laurie plays daily, much to the delight of her border collie puppy, Emma. Unlike the large expanses of glass elsewhere in the house, the space is softly lit by three trapezoidal windows placed under the sloping roof, protecting Laurie’s treasured heirlooms and travel mementos from direct sunlight while offering a view of the sky from the piano bench.

An open walk leads from the main house to a detached garage and workshop area, which adds another 646 square feet. The workshop is more like an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), with its own entry, bathroom, and a kitchenette. Already, Laurie has had friends and family stay in the ADU, all of whom appreciated the peace and privacy of the space, which looks out over her back yard.

This past summer, Laurie enjoyed hosting a weekly “beer happy hour” for friends at her home. “The high ceilings in this house make it feel very spacious,” she said. “If the ceilings were eight feet, it wouldn’t feel big. Even when I have 10 people in it, it doesn’t feel crowded, especially with the big patio. I love the design of it; I love the light.”

Exceptional Materials, Precision Design and Engineering

Both Laurie and her framer, Bear Broadrick, were extremely impressed with the quality of the Lindal materials package and the precision of the post-and-beam construction method.

“The quality of material that I got from Lindal – it’s beautiful wood. The way that Lindal puts together the house is just so cool. One of the things I love about the house is the detail and the fineness of the engineering; and I would know, because I’ve seen plans before. Bear spent a week studying the plans before framing – he said he thought it was fascinating.”

Architectural Level Design for Less

Laurie also appreciated the ability Lindal gave her to design a custom home for a fraction of the price of hiring an architect. “I’ve done it both ways, and this way is a lot less expensive than hiring an architect. Lindal has a lot of stock designs, but there’s ways to customize the designs. It’s really great because it gives people something to start with. I think that’s a cool thing.”

NOTE: Each state has its own procedures for home systems coexisting with the traditional grid. Some states allow you to sell excess electricity back to the power company; some do not. Some require that you buy power off the grid at certain times of the day; others do not. Contact  your power company or research reliable sources online before you initiate your own project, to make sure you know the practices in your state. Your local Lindal representative can also help; find yours at lindal.com/dealers.

Information and Resources

Lindal Cedar Homes Independent Representative
Michael Harris
Warmmodern Living
Website: warmmodernliving.com

Owner/General Contractor
Laurie Pitman

Framing and Carpentry
Bear Broadrick
Master Level Construction
Phone: 253-223-1638
Website:  masterlevelconstruction.com

Photography of Completed Home
Patrick Barta
Website: Barta Pictures

Construction photographs provided by the homeowner

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A Lindal A-frame from a house plan catalog, circa 1960s

When we think of unique and distinctive architectural styles, the A-frame house is one that immediately comes to mind. This simple yet stylish design has been used for centuries, and continues to be popular today.

Origins of the A-Frame House

The origins of the A-frame house can be traced back to ancient Japan, where the traditional Minka houses featured steeply pitched roofs made of thatched straw. These roofs, which resembled the letter “A,” allowed for efficient drainage of rain and snow.

In the Western world, the A-frame style gained popularity in the mid-20th century as a cost-effective and easily constructed option for vacation homes and ski lodges. The design’s simple geometry, with its two sloping sides meeting at the peak of the roof, made it easy to build and efficient to heat.

Lindal Enters the A-Frame Market

Along with other companies like Sears, Roebuck, one of the most significant contributors to the popularity of the A-frame house in the U.S. was Lindal Cedar Homes. In the mid-20th century, Lindal offered a range of pre-cut and pre-fabricated building components that could be easily assembled by a homeowner, including a patented A-frame design that was featured on the cover of Popular Mechanics in 1966.

Lindal’s A-frame home kits reached their heyday in the 1950s and the 1970s, and were available in several different sizes and styles. The kits included pre-cut lumber and other components, along with detailed instructions for assembly. The A-frame design was particularly popular for vacation homes, as it could be quickly built in remote locations and easily maintained.

While the popularity of A-frame houses waned in the 1970s, the design has experienced a resurgence in recent years, particularly among fans of modern architecture.

The Alpha: An A-frame Home for Modern Lifestyles

Today, there is renewed interest in the A-frame among design-conscious people who want a vacation getaway or primary
residence that makes a strong architectural statement. Lindal worked with architectural designer Aris Georges of OM Studio Design to create a modern A-frame that celebrates the fundamental geometry and purity of the structure in a fresh new way.

LEARN MORE >>

Whether you’re looking for a cozy vacation cabin or a stylish contemporary home, the A-frame is a truly unique and distinctive option. Contact your local Lindal representative today to get started on planning your own A-frame home.

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Seattle, WA – April 24, 2023 – Lindal Cedar Homes is proud to announce that its president, Christina Lindal, has joined the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Board of Trustees.

Lindal, who became president of the third-generation, family-owned company in 2022, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Foundation’s Board. She worked with the Foundation to develop the Lindal Imagine Series – a portfolio of homes inspired by the design principles of architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian homes.

As a member of the Board of Trustees, Lindal will help guide the Foundation’s mission of preserving and promoting the work of one of the most influential architects of the 20th century. Frank Lloyd Wright is known for his innovative designs, which integrated nature and the built environment in beautiful and functional ways.

“I am thrilled and honored to join the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Board of Trustees and to be part of an organization dedicated to preserving his legacy for future generations,” said Lindal. “Frank Lloyd Wright’s work has inspired our homes for decades.  My grandfather’s design system, which we still use today, shares many similarities. We design our homes to increase the connection to nature and the outdoors; a philosophy shared by Wright.”

Lindal’s appointment to the Board of Trustees comes at a time of renewed interest in Frank Lloyd Wright’s work, as people around the world rediscover the beauty and elegance of his designs. Lindal’s experience and expertise, including her work on the Lindal Imagine Series, will be a valuable asset to the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation as it seeks to promote Wright’s vision of architecture and design.

Founded in 1945 by Sir Walter Lindal, Lindal Cedar Homes is North America’s largest manufacturer of premium quality custom post-and-beam home packages, delivered to clients’ build sites worldwide. Headquartered in Seattle, WA, the Company operates in the U.S., Canada, and internationally through a network of local independent distributors.

Media Contact: Josefin Kannin, Director of Marketing
josk@lindal.com
206-892-1324

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Seattle, WA — Lindal Cedar Homes is pleased to announce that Christina Lindal has assumed a new role as president of the company, effective September 1, 2022. An experienced leader, Ms. Lindal was previously executive vice president of the Company. She succeeds her father, Bob Lindal, who has spent the past few years gradually transferring responsibility for day-to-day operations to his daughter. He will remain involved as Chairman of the Board.

“I drew my first paycheck from Lindal 60 years ago, and became CEO and president in 1981,” Bob Lindal said. “While I’ve never had a timeline for the change in leadership, it’s always been the plan to transfer management of the company to the next generation when the time was right. That time has come. I have full confidence in Christina’s experience and ability to lead Lindal successfully into the future.”

Christina Lindal joined the company shortly after graduating from Scripps College in Claremont, CA, with a degree in molecular biology. She spent the next 15 years working in various positions at the company to become familiar with all aspects of the business. “When I first started, I spent a few weeks in every department, including marketing, accounting, sales, and manufacturing,” she said. After several years in customer service and inside sales, she was promoted to sales manager, then vice president, and has served as executive vice president since 2018.

“I’m pleased that Christina is stepping into the role of president,” said Sig Benson, a former vice president of marketing at the company who now sits on the board of directors. “The Lindal family of dealers, clients and employees will benefit from her hard work and this well-deserved promotion.”

“One of the reasons for taking this role is that I am the person who is here every day to work on the health and success of Lindal dealers and staff,” Christina said. “There’s a huge desire in me to focus on bigger-picture things.” In addition to developing a new strategic plan, her priorities as president include the acquisition and retention of core employees and dealers, maintaining excellent customer service, and “staying ahead of our clients’ desires.”

“The housing industry is different than it was two years ago, and Christina is capable of evolving with clients’ lifestyles to keep Lindal relevant,” Benson said. “She has proven her ability to lead the company and maintain the extraordinary quality of design and value Lindal provides homeowners.”

Christina represents the third generation – and the first woman – to assume leadership of the family-owned company. The construction and manufacturing industry has one of the lowest percentages of women in top positions, with fewer than 3% of female CEOs globally. Lindal emphasized that she hasn’t allowed her gender to hold her back in a traditionally male-dominated field.

“I went to an all-women’s college that gave me a very strong will to follow my passions and dreams,” she said. “I feel I’ve always been able to prove myself every step of the way – I’ve been able to show people that I can roll with the rest of the guys. There’s nothing that has kept me from doing what other people in my profession have done.”

Founded in 1945 by Sir Walter Lindal, Lindal Cedar Homes is North America’s largest manufacturer of premium quality custom post-and-beam home packages, delivered to clients’ build sites worldwide. Headquartered in Seattle, WA, the Company operates in the U.S., Canada, and internationally through a network of local independent distributors.

Media Contact:
Josefin Kannin
Director of Marketing
josk@lindal.com
206-892-1324

Home

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A ranch house, also known as a rancher or a rambler, is a particularly American style of home. Although the original ranch homes date back to the 1920s, they really became popular in the boom years after WWII. A ranch house plan is generally characterized by certain key features:

All One Level

A ranch home is usually a low-lying, one story house. Their single story layout is one reason these homes are endemic to the suburbs. Because of the large footprint of the ranch home, it is neither economical or feasible to build one in a densely populated urban area. One-level living makes this home particularly attractive, as every room can open to the next and to the outdoors.

Open Floor Plan

Ranch homes are known for airy open interior spaces, a far cry from the regimented and broken-up structure of older, more traditional homes. Lindal’s post and beam construction is ideally suited to the multi-purpose room and open floor plan concept, as it does not rely on interior walls for structural support.

Seamless Transitions from Inside to Outside

Ranch house plans are designed for an informal and relaxed approach to living and entertaining. Great rooms open to courtyards through large doors that blur the distinction between inside and out. The extensive use of windows allows natural light to flood the interior of the home. Decks and pools are common additions that make ranch homes ideal for family gatherings and outdoor entertaining.

Six Lindal ranch style house plans

A Modern Ranch House With an Open Floor Plan

The Quick Ship Sargasso

The  Sargasso is a ranch-style house with an efficient single story floor plan. This home exudes a spirit of comfort and ease. A large open gathering area allows for informal seating and relaxing or eating before a roaring fire. The expansive wall of windows and large sliding door let in the view.  A  screened porch and deck area allow family and guests to enjoy the outdoors any time of day or year. Part of the Lindal modern Elements home line, the three-bedroom, two-bath Sargasso is a perennial favorite of clients to build on their property.

Contact your local Lindal rep for details and pricing: Reference #41458.
VIEW FLOOR PLAN & IMAGES >>

A Three Bedroom Ranch That Wraps Around a Private Courtyard

The Hestia

The Hestia design by OM Studio – profiled in the Wall Street Journal – is a stunning example of a ranch style home. The home wraps around a private courtyard surrounded by glass halls. A full band of clerestory windows above the great room uplifts the living, dining and kitchen space. This custom home was created  by architectural designer Aris Georges of OM Studio for Lindal.

Contact your local Lindal rep for details and pricing: Reference #41664.
VIEW FLOOR PLAN AND IMAGES >>

A Simple Ranch House Plan

The Quick Ship Ludlow

The Ludlow is a compact and functional small ranch style house plan. Under 1,000 square feet, the floor plan includes a spacious master bedroom suite and a great room filled with natural light from the band of clerestory windows, large windows, and sliding glass door that opens to a patio space.

Contact your local Lindal rep for details and pricing: Reference #41706.
VIEW FLOOR PLAN & IMAGES >>

A Rancher With a Classic Roofline

The Beaumont Ranch

The Beaumont Ranch celebrates the convenience of living on one level. The ingenuity of a well-zoned floor plan honors both public and private spaces by devoting different parts of the home to them, and creating an easy flow throughout. The covered entry is as poetic as it is practical – perfect for flower boxes and other container plantings. In the back of the home, the large deck makes a major design statement, with entrances to both the master bedroom and the dining room.

Contact your local Lindal rep for details and pricing: Reference #39902.
ViIEW FLOOR PLAN & IMAGES >>

A Frank Lloyd Wright Inspired Ranch Style Home

The Madison

As a founder of modern American architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright is largely responsible for popularizing ranch style home design in the United States. His ideal of bringing affordable, well-designed homes to the masses, beginning with his Prairie style homes, reached its  zenith in his Usonian house plans, which include many of the features of a modern ranch style home. Wright’s Usonian homes were typically one story, low-lying structures composed of natural materials like wood, stone, and glass, with seamless indoor/outdoor transitions, attached carports, and an open floor plan. In collaboration with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, Lindal debuted the Imagine Series in 2018. These homes are unique translations of Wright’s Usonian homes. The Madison is a translation of Jacobs 1, Wright’s first, iconic Usonian home. The original is inscribed on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites because of its seminal influence on modern residential home design.

Contact your local Lindal rep for details and pricing.
VIEW FLOOR PLAN & IMAGES >>

A 2,000 Square Foot Architect-Designed Ranch Style House Plan

Dowling Studios 2230

Over the years, Lindal has collaborated with some of the US and Canada’s most influential architects – as seen in the Lindal Architects Collaborative portfolio of architect-designed homes for Lindal. Dowling Studios, a bi-coastal architectural firm owned by the Dowling sisters, designed this simple yet exquisite home. Private interior spaces are organized around a large central living area with clear views of the front and rear landscapes. The Lindal post and beam structure enables deep overhangs for shade and protection from the elements. Large lift and slide doors open each space to the natural environment. The abundant use of premium clear cedar siding gives the home a warm yet elegant ambience.

Contact your local Lindal rep for details and pricing: Reference #41622.
VIEW FLOOR PLAN & IMAGES >>

The Rise of the Ranch

Pictured – The Sargasso, a ranch-style home built on an island in Ontario.

Lindal Cedar Homes got its start in 1945, around the same time that ranch style houses really took off in popularity in the United States. WWII had just ended, and millions of soldiers returned from overseas to civilian life. The passage of President Franklin Roosevelt’s GI Bill in 1944 offered a package of benefits to returning members of the military, including low-cost mortgages, financial assistance for education, and low-interest loans. Such incentives enabled young people to marry, have children, and pursue home ownership in short order.

As the war effort wound down, economic focus and manufacturing shifted to the domestic front. Increased automobile production resulted in a rise in car ownership. The development of federally sponsored highways spurred the rise of suburban commuter towns. As a result, the demand for an affordable family home skyrocketed.

Lindal Cedar Homes’ founder Sir Walter Lindal got his start selling home lumber packages to returning GIs and their young families after WWII. Early Lindal house plan books include many examples of simple ranch house floor plans designed for this demographic.

This ranch style summer home was featured in a Lindal house plan book from the 1950s .

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