Built from salvaged windows and doors, reclaimed materials, and macrocarpa timber milled from trees grown on Charlotte's family farm in Southland, Charlotte Muschamp of Alki combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary building science. Charlotte designed the cabin and worked alongside partner Stefan Warnaar throughout its construction, with Stefan leading the build while developing and fabricating the modular StrawSIP building system that forms the cabin's high-performance envelope.
Beyond the building itself, the project embraces regenerative thinking — returning rainwater to the soil, using greywater to nourish productive gardens, repurposing construction offcuts, and choosing natural, untreated materials that celebrate craftsmanship and age gracefully over time. The result is a home that demonstrates how architecture can tread lightly on the planet while enriching everyday life.
Joining Charlotte and Stefan at this stop is Charissa Snijders, architect and advocate for regenerative design creating places that restore the land, contribute positively to climate, and strengthen the communities they serve.
YOUR SPEAKERS
Founder and principal designer of architecture studio Alki, Yakisugi StrawSIPs Cabin designer
Chemical Engineer and StrawSIPs practitioner
Architect at Charissa Snijders Architect, 2025 finalist for the Sustainable Business Network (SBN) Next List - Transformational Leadership.