A native NW landscape and two urban cabins create retreat in the city, this project is the reclamation of a 1/10 acre property and upgrading of a tiny 720 s.f.bungalow into a modern 1860 s.f.refuge. Two modern cabins house separate purposes, one is primarily social with kitchen, dining, guest quarters, lower level entertainment cantina, and utility functions. The second is a private loft-like sleep/work studio. A transparent covered outdoor passage connects the two structures, and benefits from the comfortable year-round maritime climate of the Pacific Northwest.
A 10 minute drive from downtown Seattle, this home inextricably links landscape and architecture, editing neighbor views to create a secluded home retreat in the city.
An extensive commitment to efficiency and sustainability is evident everywhere. The structures and light filled with abundant windows engaging garden and sky, yet always private. The full experience of nature, year round, connects indoors with outdoors.
A boat builders’ heritage is revealed in efficient space utilization and detailing, and set the tone for every part of these two cabins. This ethic is opportune and succeeds in a time when living spaces need be smaller to consider resource utilization, while simultaneously feeling more expansive in a time when the hectic nature of modern life presses in.
Material Used :
1. Reused existing house materials as much as possible: recycled fir framing, posts and beams; dual-glazed existing windows, andpartially reused existing cedarplank siding.
2. Used naturally weathering materials — Western Red Cedar shingles, decking and house trim and Alaska Yellow Cedar decking, and locally sourced granite and basalt paving and step risers —all require little to no maintenance.
3. Creatively repurposed stone in the landscape and bathrooms that were considered discarded materials at the stone yard.
4. We specialize in manipulating standardized products in unique ways to provide a more custom result, resulting in very cost effective solutions.
5. Interior – Stainless, rusted and blackened steel, along with copper detailing accents and balances various wood elements, including reclaimed Douglas fir flooring and timbers, native Big Leaf Maple and Douglas Fir paneling. In addition, native Madrone custom furniture enhances the overall design. Cabinet details include blackened steel, glass, and local granite is applied as bath room finishes.
6. A collection of antique salvaged Chinese stone elements contribute to both interior and exterior detailing.
