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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Poulsbo, Washington

Site

Located near Agate Pass Bridge on the Inside Passage of Puget Sound, between Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island. Its waterfront site is well screened from neighbors to the east by landscaping, but required a substantial architectural solution for screening along the west.

Program

The owners, an interior designer and her husband, had occupied their home for thirty years. They had gutted the structure for a remodel only to be told by their contractor that structural deficiencies made it prudent to tear the entire house down and completely rebuild. Once Eggleston Farkas was retained, an agreement was negotiated with building officials whereby all new construction would be constrained to the original footprint in order to expedite the permitting process. Despite a relatively narrow site, the owners requested that primary living spaces, master suite, and two guest suites each have a view to the water. They desired a pavilion-type structure with a strong connection between interior spaces and the natural setting.

Solution

The design is a simple shell, a cedar-clad box without openings, that has been “carved-out” to expose the sheltered interior to carefully framed views, while creating covered outdoor spaces at the entry and waterside porch. The southeast corner was “eroded” so that the two guest suites were afforded water views despite being set back from the water. A screening element to the west protects the privacy of these spaces and doubles as a barbeque niche. From inside, the overall effect is one of total seclusion.

Awards & Publications

• “Balancing Act”, Seattle Homes & Lifestyles, February 2005

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Seattle, Washington

Site

A large sloping site with western views to Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Driveway access was limited to its pre-existing location by the topography. A small stream and hillside delineate the southern edge of the property.

Program

A single family residence facilitating indoor/outdoor living, offering direct connection to the garden while taking advantage of the dramatic view. The house was to accommodate both contemporary and Asian furnishings, as well as a handmade bubinga dining room table & chairs. The building height had to be minimized because covenants stipulated that new construction must minimize the impact upon existing views from surrounding neighbors. Similar requirements regarding trees necessitated that the building itself – not landscaping – offer privacy protection from neighbors to the north and south.

Solution

Site fit, program, construction process, and neighborhood design review were all addressed by a shallow vaulted pavilion roof under which linear service forms subdivide and direct the living spaces towards the gardens and view. The steel and PSL structure minimized structure height and was prefabricated offsite for rapid onsite assembly. Once the roof was sheathed, the pavilion served as rain protection for subsequent conventional framing work below. The primary spaces open to both the entry garden to the east and the restored meadow and views to the west. These spaces are defined by the stucco, wood rainscreen, and Corten steel clad service forms, the northernmost of which (the master bath & closet) screens the living spaces and terraces from the adjacent neighbor.

Awards & Publications

• Merit Award – AIA Seattle 2006 Honor Awards for Washington Architecture
• Merit Award – AIA Northwest and Pacific Region 2007 Awards
• “The New 100 Houses x 100 Architects” by Robyn Beaver (Australia), 2007
• “Meadow Creek House” by Nick Allen, Modern Residential Design, 2008

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Honolulu, Hawaii

Site

A corner lot in a residential neighborhood with ocean, mountain, and Diamond Head views from an upper floor. The tropical climate dictated the need for solar shading and cross ventilation. An existing one-story house was to be relocated to the other side of the island in preparation for site development.

Program

A shared residence for two sisters – one single and one with a family. Each sister was to have a separate sleeping wing, while the entire household was to share the kitchen/dining/living great-room and deck. A small office for a home business and an additional storage area were also required.

Solution

The shared great-room is located above the garage and oriented to take advantage of the views. The entry gallery, stair, and home office form a gasket between the shared and private zones of the house. The stacked sleeping wings allowed for an efficient design, while the baths and closets buffer the bedrooms from the adjacent neighbor, as well as the hot afternoon sun. The design reflects the constraints and opportunities of the local climate in a number of other ways as well. The long shed roof (with solar hot water panels) efficiently carries water from sudden downpours to a pair of oversized downspouts. Bent aluminum plates offer sun and rain protection at windows and doors. Operable windows in the great-room and bedroom wings were designed to allow for natural cross ventilation from prevailing winds, and a stack effect helps cool the entry and home office.

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