Located northwest of Seattle on the Kitsap Peninsula a few blocks up from a small beach town, this residence takes its place on a cherished piece of family property. The program for the house was simple; 3-bedroom / 2-bath house with space for playing music and drawing. The house at 1,700 square feet is modest in size yet reaches into the landscape with a sheltering roof and screen walls to create usable outdoor spaces on all sides. The roof becomes an additional level for more occupiable outdoor space and areas for an herb garden. The design concept evolved out of a solid rectangular volume stretched across the site in a typical one-story “Rambler” style. The single vertical element that breaks the horizontal datum of the roof is a site-cast fireplace and chimney that acts as a totem marking the heart of the living space – a space for family gatherings and music to be played. Douglas Fir trees from the site that made way for the structure were milled and dried in situ during construction and used to create the finish lid of the roof plane as well as the open kitchen shelves and coffee table. Cedar milled on site was used to create the entry door, benches, and east privacy fence. Brick screen walls extend out into the landscape creating semi-enclosed exterior rooms that filter light and views at the east and west ends of the site, dissolving the structure into the landscape.
I adore the simplicity of the structure and materials of this compact, modern home. I would be quite happy living here amongst the trees and wildlife. By architecture and design studio GO’C. Photos: Kevin Scott.