Port Hadlock, Washington

Site

Waterfront property at a bend in the shoreline overlooking a wetland and small marina to one side and a tidal cove to the other.

Program

A 1,536 sf vacation house from which marine activities will be pursued. The owners wanted the spaces to feel comfortable whether they were there by themselves or with their children and grandchildren.

Solution

Primarily solid as seen from the access road, the house is sited to take advantage of the different views from within. Two separate elements form an ‘L’ with the main living spaces oriented towards the marina and wetland. A large screen porch at the knuckle offers views of the marina and cove, and provides a communal gathering place. The guest wing faces the cove and includes a loft space for the grandchildren above their parents’ bedroom. The concrete base creates a level area on the sloping site while providing for boat storage within. The wood frame structure is clad in cement board panels throughout, unifying the interior and exterior. Maple and slate complete the interior palette. A window wall in each living space opens to the view. To maintain consistency of detail, the screen porch was created by replacing the glass in the window system with framed screens. A pair of corrugated metal shed roofs slope to a shared gutter and provide a protected walkway at the entry.

Awards & Publications

• House of the Month – ArchitecturalRecord.com, October 2003
• “Coastal Retreats” by Linda Leigh Paul, 2002
• Umran Magazine, (Saudi Arabia), October 2005
• “Beach Houses” by Casey Mathewson, (Germany), 2006
• “Small Houses in Nature 2″ by Carles Broto (Spain), 2007
• “Superb Cabins” by Charles Broto, 2007
• “Rain, Go Away”, Residential Architect, September/October 2008

Eastern Cascade Foothills, Washington

Site

A remote south-facing ridge along the eastern foothills of the Cascade Mountains. Wind-driven snowy winters and hot arid summers with occasional brush fires characterize the severe climate. No public utilities were available.

Program

A family vacation retreat offering seclusion and connection to the natural environment. The site is off the grid, so solar electrical generation and energy conservation were critical to the success of the project.

Solution

The V-shaped house is cut into the ridge, allowing for an earth-sheltered passive solar design. The concrete roof and retaining walls allowed the house to be buried under four feet of earth – offering insulation in the winter and cavelike cooling in the summer. Concrete overhangs provide snow control and solar shading. Rolling metal shutters serve the dual purposes of forming a second skin which offers additional thermal control, as well as fire protection and security when the retreat is not in use.

Awards & Publications

• Sustainable Merit Award 2010 Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards
• Residential Structures Award 2010 Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards
• Honorable Mention CRSI 2010 Design Awards
• “Building with Concrete”, Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce, 30 April 2010
• “21st Century Houses: 150 of the World’s Best” by Robyn Beaver (Australia), 2010
• “Masterpieces: Country House Architecture + Design” by Michelle Galindo (Switzerland), 2011

Winthrop, Washington

Site

A sparse meadow adjacent to a network of cross-country skiing trails on the valley floor.

Program

A small retreat serving as a base for cross-country skiing and mountain biking. The owners wished to accommodate 6-8 people with a communal area for gathering and dining.

Solution

Siting: The building is aligned with the valley, opening at the ends to focus on the views up and down the valley. The service zone shields the living spaces from the road. A slot window – positioned for seated viewing – frames skiers gliding by.
Foundation: The foundation was required to extend 4-feet below grade to a point beneath the frost line. By using 8-foot vertical forms, a single pour provided sufficient depth while raising the wood structure 4-feet above grade to protect it from snowdrifts. Sufficient ceiling height was created for the downstairs bunkroom, with a protected at-grade window below the deck. Excavation spoils were used to form a mound for access to the entry porch. Structure and
Materials: Gluelam beams with wood decking span between a wood framed fin wall and utility zone. The exterior cedar siding is continued through the living spaces to create a continuum of interior and exterior space. Steel details were designed for ease of fabrication by local agricultural welders.
Roof: The shed roof echoes the slope of the hills beyond, while allowing snow to slide off easily. There are no roof penetrations, and the simple form eliminates ridges and valleys that would be susceptible to leaks. The shed creates both a protected entry porch at the low end and a sleeping loft at the high end. Accessed from the side, the entry stair remains snow-free even as snow avalanches dramatically off the end.

Awards & Publications

• Citation – AIA Seattle 2001 Honor Awards for Washington Architecture
• Honor Award – AIA Northwest and Pacific Region 2002 Awards
• House of the Month – ArchitecturalRecord.com, October 2003
• “New Work: Three Emerging Firms” Arcade, Autumn 2001
• “Coastal Retreats” by Linda Leigh Paul, 2002
• “Houses We Love: Walking in a Winter Wonderland”, Dwell, January/February 2003
• “Architecture Highlights, Volume 3″ by Shanglin A&C Publishing (China), 2004
• “25 Houses Under 1500 Square Feet” by James Trulove, 2004
• “XXSmall Houses” by Casey Mathewson (Germany), 2005
• “The Contemporary Guesthouse: Building in the Garden” by Susanna Sirefman, 2005
• Umran Magazine (Saudi Arabia), 2006
• “Residential Designs for the 21st Century” by Casey Mathewson (Germany), 2007
• “International Houses Atlas” by Casey Mathewson (Germany), 2007
• “Small Houses in Nature 2″ by Carles Broto (Spain), 2007
• “Superb Cabins” by Charles Broto, 2007
• “Masterpieces: Country House Architecture + Design” by Michelle Galindo (Switzerland), 2011

Decatur Island, Washington

Site

The site is on a wooded hillside at Decatur Northwest on Decatur Island, with conifers & madronas filtering views of Puget Sound. Community roads pass along the east and north sides of the site.

Program

A small vacation cabin where a family of four can relax, enjoy nature, cook, and play board games together. Sleeping rooms could be small and rustic, but space had to be provided for guests. Design covenants mandated that the visual impact of the cabin to its surroundings be minimized.

Solution

A long shed roof creates a sheltered space in the woods. The roof folds down to the east, offering privacy from the road while minimizing its visual presence. The solid service and sleeping zone acts as a buffer to the north and incorporates a sleeping loft and an outdoor storage room. The main living space contains an informal living room and an elongated kitchen whose counter extends as the eating & game table. The covered terrace extends the living space outdoors and serves as a transition to the rest of the forest.