Seattle, Washington

Site

A major alteration of an existing house on a sloping site with a panoramic eastern view of Seward Park, Lake Washington, and Mount Baker. Contrasting the views to the east, the western portion of the site offers more introspective opportunities.

Program

The owners are avid gardeners and wanted the house to be integrated with the landscape while taking advantage of the sweeping view of Lake Washington. The master suite had to share a level (as well as the lake view) with the main living spaces, yet remain private and separate. A flexible use guest suite – a space they could utilize daily or close off for long term guests – was also desired.

Solution

The living room fireplace – a freestanding “monolith” – serves as the anchor and pivot point for the house. It marks the entrance to the main living space, forms a baffle to the sitting room and master suite, and is the low point from which the butterfly roof opens up. At the high end of the roof, a generous deck extends the interior space to the outside. As a counterpoint to this airiness, the guest suite is more intimate and darkly hued opening out to a private courtyard and water feature. Large trees were transplanted from the owners’ previous home, creating the sense of a mature garden.

Awards & Publications

• 4-Star Rating – BuiltGreen
• Seattle Tour of Architects, 2012

Collaboration

• General Contractor: EH Construction
• Structural Engineer: Quantum Consulting Engineers
• Geotechnical Engineer: PanGEO Incorporated
• Landscape Design: Delight Design
• Landscape Construction: Avalon Northwest

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Seattle, Washington

Site

This project involves two related but free-standing houses on adjacent city properties. Each site presented a difficult slope up from the street. Maximum building height regulations and setback requirements defined a fairly small building envelope for each.

Program

There is a family relationship of the two sets of owners: a mother, daughter and their two husbands. Both needed a simple (and similar) family home with open living, dining and kitchen spaces, Bedroom spaces were to be placed on an upper level to enhance privacy. Budget and space limitations of the two lots necessitated designs of optimum efficiency.

Solution

Initial design studies considered a “bunkered” solution for each garage. However, it quickly became apparent that significant planning and cost efficiencies could be realized if the two houses were developed concurrently as a pair. They were built by the same contractor with matching plans and shared access (guaranteed by easement) to a common motor court in front of both garages at the up-slope back lot. Constructing the garages above grade reduced shoring and foundation expenses while the matching plans and simultaneous construction reduced contractor mobilization expenses and allowed for an “economy of scale” in the purchase of building materials. Individuality of the two residences is enhanced by varied coloring of the exterior and interior finish materials and a selection of different fixtures throughout. The open quality of living spaces on the ground floors takes full advantage of views through the glazed street front while a sheltered terrace between each garage and its respective house provides for outdoor activities. Openings in walls facing side property lines are few in number and kept small to maximize separation from neighbors.

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Burien, Washington

Site

The waterfront property for this project is long and narrow, situated on Burien’s Seola Beach with a view across Puget Sound to Vashon Island. That portion of the site allowable for construction was quite small. A steep slope, which provides a pleasant buffering backdrop, becomes a threatening source for landslides, while the house had to be set back from the water (and at a minimum allowed elevation) for protection from storm-surge flooding. Access is provided by an existing drive which terminates partway up the hillside, at a point that was three stories above the owners’ pre-existing home.

Program

The owners asked that the new replacement structure establish a simple, comfortable presence within a beach context.

Solution

The new residence was conceived as a mediating portal between hillside and waterfront. A massive 10foot high concrete catchment wall was introduced near the bottom of the problematic slope to protect against landslides. The top of this wall serves as a springpoint for a new steel and wood access bridge at the second-story main level. This elevated position serves to enhance views from integrated entry, living, dining, kitchen and deck spaces. The living area is a two-story volume with full-height window walls facing both the hill and water. Its transparency provides a dramatic view from the access road and yields an interior space which can at once allow one to experience the sheltering quality of the hillside and the expansiveness of the beach. For privacy and optimal views, a master suite was developed on the third level directly above kitchen and dining areas. Two multi-task rooms were set on the beach level as media, office, guest, and entertainment spaces. Cedar siding (with exposed fasteners) is used on exterior walls and will be allowed to “weather” to a silvery patina with time.

Awards & Publications

• Home of the Year, Seattle Homes & Lifestyles, 2006
• “Beach Houses” by Casey Mathewson (Germany), 2006
• “On the Beach: Contemporary Beach Houses” by Andrew Hall (Australia), 2010
• “House in the Landscape: Siting Your Home Naturally” by Jeremiah Eck, 2011

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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

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Seattle, Washington

Site

A twenty-five year old high-rise condominium near Pike Place Market that was a series of small, dated rooms, several with large underutilized bay windows. The warren-like entry hallway ungraciously passed by the master bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom before arriving at the living room. Constraints to the design were that none of the utility chases and soffits, the plumbing drains, nor the front door location could be changed.

Program

The owners no longer needed multiple bedrooms and baths. Instead, they desired a large flexible space that could be transformed to accommodate catered events and occasional overnight guests. When not entertaining, they wanted their home to feel casual, open, and airy.

Solution

By removing most of the partition walls, the experience of the home was changed to an open loft like space stretching 50 feet in length. Rather than using conventional doors, the space has the ability to transform itself with floor to ceiling pivoting panels. The panels are held magnetically in place to take on the appearance of a finished wall whether they are open or closed. Thus, guests feel that they arrive through an elegantly paneled entryway rather than a door-filled hallway. Additionally, a rolling panel allows the library to be closed off as a guest suite. Previously neglected opportunities offered by the building shell were expressed. The concrete columns and ceiling were exposed & cleaned. When it was discovered that there was a significant “wow” above the mural area, the design was modified during construction – adding a bent steel plate to hide the concrete imperfection & provide a custom lighting element for the living room mural. Each of the window bays gained a new function. In the living area a custom sofa and side platforms were built in. The dining area gained a large steel and wood sideboard. The third bay sports a desk for the home office with file drawers and computer equipment concealed in the backside of the kitchen cabinetry.

Awards & Publications

• 1st Place Remodel (with Hensel Design Studios, Interior Design) – 2005 Northwest Design Awards
• “Urban Update”, Northwest Home + Garden, November/December 2005
• “21st Century Architecture: Apartment Living” by Beth Browne, 2011

Collaboration

• Interior Design – Steven Hensel, Hensel Design Studios

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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

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