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A dramatic central entry in this West Seattle residence divides the main structure in half, while the kitchen beyond the entry’s opaque windows unifies the house.  The form to the north of the entry contains the dining room and living room on the first floor, the master bedroom with a magical view on the second floor, and a family room at the lowest level that opens up to the backyard. On the south side of the axial entry lives the stair core, pantry, mudroom and garage access on the main floor, the second floor contains the children’s bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, and the lower floor contains the wine room, workout space and the guest bedroom and bath. In the center, tying together the house is the generous family kitchen. A second floor bridge overlooks the two story space and links the parent’s and children’s bedrooms.

On the busy street-side, the house is afforded privacy by the solid two-story walls clad in Thermory on the outside and also carried into the interior.  Eastern light penetrates the house through the central two-story opaque windows and the clearstory windows above. Inside the 4,700 square foot house opens up to the expansive view with large windows on the north and west elevations.  The kitchen flows easily onto the large adjacent deck that includes an outdoor fireplace overlooking Puget Sound and steps down to the lower lawn connected to the family room. Concrete floors throughout the house work perfectly for a family of four with three dogs.

The clients had one request, “design a multi-generational family getaway oasis of timeless, classic cottages, independent yet interdependent, that can be enjoyed and cherished now and for many years to come.”

After sharing a family cabin on Hood Canal with other relatives for over 60 years, the owners decided to create a new family compound for themselves, two grown children and their young families.  The narrow lot slopes gently over 430 feet to the no-bank waterfront and allows for a meandering, naturally landscaped walk between the four buildings on the site.  At the top of the site is a 665 sf Bunkhouse which primarily separates car related activities – driveway and parking – from the rest of the compound.  The structure has a slype which acts as a gateway to the cottages beyond.  A 982 sf, 2 bedroom, 2 bath ADU Cottage sits a few paces away from the beautiful bunkhouse.  The Primary Cottage is a 5 bedroom, 5 bath structure divided into two sections connected by a glazed breezeway that looks out to the natural gardens. The larger 2,280 sf section offers privacy for the owners, while the breezeway travels to the 1,000 sf portion used by visiting family.  Each wing maintains its own kitchen, dining and living areas effectively acting as two cottages under one roof assembly.

At the water’s edge is a small structure labeled the Oyster Temple.  Here, the family gathers to BBQ oysters pulled right from the beach.  This outbuilding also shelters an outdoor shower, a powder room and space for outdoor furniture storage.  Back at the top of the lot and across the street, the owner’s Boat Barn is a simple gable building housing the all the water toys.

The client fell in love with the Tamarack, a permit-ready, stock-plan offered through the Perfect Little House Company, but needed to increase its size for future endeavours.  BC+J worked with the owners to double the footprint of the Tamarack, without overshadowing the original scale and proportions of the original cabin design. The solution included a new centralized entry between the public spaces of the original Tamarack, and the private new bedroom wing of subordinate  massing. The two structures, connected at the corner, create a courtyard protected from the street view and open to the surrounding forest.  The master bedroom suite is located in the corner of the lower wing which captures the edge of the courtyard, while the guest bedroom is tucked in closer to the entry.

Clad in shou-sugi-ban siding, the structures recede into the fabric of the wooded lot, while the contrasting Douglas fir rafters and soffits are highlighted.

At 1,400 square feet, this two bedroom, two bath home had to make use of every inch, while still maintaining clear, open views through large, two-story high, glazed wall areas.  The kitchen is compact but well appointed with substantial storage under the stairs to the loft.  The living room / dining room area is enhanced by a storage wall that also includes a built-in banquette for dining and additional seating.  A small office area, bar, more storage and a media room occurs in the loft, which also has extensive views to the trees.

Nestled on the edge of an estuary, the Pleasant Beach House is a combination of two vernacular farmhouse forms.  The placement of the daytime and nighttime wings at 90 degrees to one another creates two sides of a large outdoor room offering views of Rich Passage over a pocket park.

The daytime wing – an open, light-filled space designed to maximize views and accommodate the needs of a busy young family and guests  – includes kitchen, dining and living spaces. The southern face of this wing is shielded by a 10′ deep cantilevered canopy which protects from direct sunlight or rain, and facilitates use and enjoyment of the outdoor space during warmer weather.  A diner-style pass-through bar located on the kitchen side of the covered terrace further enhances the use of this terrace area.

Four bedrooms, plus bathrooms, laundry and mudroom with entry via the garage make up the home’s nighttime wing.  Breathtaking views are available from the  master bedroom and bath, while the kid’s bedrooms feature modest views, generous play and study spaces, and shared bathrooms.