West Seattle Chalet / SHED Architecture & Design

The Water Cabin, a new floating home in Seattle’s Portage Bay, blends the classic nautical personality of a houseboat with the weathered coziness of a cabin. Designed by Olson Kundig, a Seattle-based architecture firm, the residence is situated in one of Seattle's prominent houseboat enclaves, where wooden planks replace traditional lawns and piers serve as sidewalks. The client, who previously rented a houseboat in the area, sought to create a bespoke water-bound retreat that maximized its connection to the marine environment. The home's design features a geometric silhouette, a hallmark of Kundig’s style, supported by galvanized steel structures that elegantly cradle expansive roof planes and wooden decks. The architects aimed to seamlessly integrate indoor and outdoor living spaces. The interior layout spans two levels, with each space carefully configured to enhance engagement with the surrounding water. The bay-level floor adopts an open-plan concept, accommodating dining, kitchen, and office areas. A notable feature is a sliding wooden partition in the office space, which allows for the creation of an additional private room. This area also cleverly incorporates a hidden murphy bed, transforming it into a versatile guest room. Throughout the interior, material choices emphasize natural warmth and modern contrast. Oakwood lines the floors and casework, providing a rich, inviting foundation, while cooler silver and black metal accents introduce a contemporary edge. The ceilings, made from Russian birch plywood, are designed to reflect and distribute natural sunlight, thereby brightening the living spaces. Outside, an exterior patio crafted from durable Ipe wood decking extends the living area. This patio is thoughtfully protected by large roof overhangs, shielding the wood from the elements and enabling year-round outdoor enjoyment. The upper level of the Water Cabin is dedicated to the main bedroom, offering residents unobstructed views of the water, creating a serene and private lookout. This level also benefits from the same protective roof overhangs, which form an additional deck space. The exterior of the Water Cabin is clad in knotty western red cedar, lightly stained and arranged in an irregular pattern to evoke the organic appearance of a forest. This cladding effectively combines the inherent nautical character of a houseboat with the rustic charm of a cabin. Galvanized steel and flame-sprayed zinc elements are integrated along the frame's perimeter, providing both structural support and aesthetic detail. The design thoughtfully includes floor-to-ceiling glass windows that blur the lines between the interior and the surrounding natural environment, and the warm oak flooring seamlessly transitions to the exterior Ipe wood decking, further enhancing this connection. The Water Cabin's distinct cubic form offers a contemporary alternative to the more traditional houseboats found in the bay, demonstrating a modern approach to floating architecture. #FloatingHomes #Houseboats #CabinArchitecture #OlsonKundig #SeattleArchitecture #WaterfrontLiving #WoodenArchitecture #ModernDesign #ArchitecturalInnovation

This article details the journey of Alex Pires, a Washington attorney turned Dewey Beach restaurateur and nightclub owner, and his wife, Diane Cooley, in building their shingle-style cottage in Dewey Beach, Delaware. The project began when Pires purchased a 1920s oceanfront cottage six years prior. Initially, Pires attempted two renovations to bring the cottage in line with the shingle style, inspired by the architecture of Henry Hobson Richardson in his hometown of North Easton, Massachusetts. Dissatisfied with the renovations, Pires and Cooley decided to demolish the existing structure and build a new home that truly reflected their vision. They enlisted long-time friend and architect David Jones of David Jones Architects in Washington, D.C., for the design. The objective was to create a distinctive residence that stood out among the typical developer-built cottages in the area. Jones, who developed an appreciation for historic architecture throughout his career, embraced the challenge of designing a shingle-style dwelling. The project presented unique challenges, including editing Pires's numerous ideas and adhering to height restrictions while maintaining the style's verticality. To ensure historical accuracy and detail, Pires and Cooley researched shingle-style architecture extensively, including touring historic "cottages" in Newport, Rhode Island, designed by pioneers of the style. The shingle style, originating in the Boston area in the 1880s, is characterized by unpainted wooden shingles and a departure from Victorian fussiness, favoring unembellished surfaces, honesty of form, and purity of line. Interiors were designed with fewer, larger rooms to maximize sunlight. Pires compiled photographs of notable architectural details, such as the small, multi-paned windows of Richardson's William Watts Sherman house and the turret inspired by the Isaac Bell House in Newport, designed by McKim, Mead and White. The house, situated on a corner lot, features two facades: a broad gable with a deep porch facing the ocean to the east, and a more vertical tower and gable facing the street and beach path to the north. Forest green trim bands contrast with the sand-colored cedar shingles. Nautical motifs, such as a lighthouse-shaped newel post, are incorporated into the exterior. The main floor is elevated to protect against ocean surges, with breakaway walls on the lowest level for the garage and storage, a design element that allows water to flow through without compromising the structural integrity of the house. This functional and aesthetic approach prevents the common "stranded" appearance of many beach houses built on pilings. Finding a builder capable of executing the intricate design proved difficult, with three companies declining the project. Pires ultimately hired Bob Purcell, known for his craftsmanship, after admiring a home he built in Lewes. Purcell accepted the job, committing to Jones's insistence on an entirely wooden construction, which is rare in modern building practices. The detailed design earned architect David Jones a 2008 national Palladio Award for best new house under 5,000 square feet. For the interiors, Pires and Cooley collaborated with Pinehurst, North Carolina-based designer Brenda Lyne, impressed by her work at the Bellmoor Inn. While Cooley initially desired a less formal style, she appreciated Lyne's ability to combine elegance with durability suitable for a beach house. The interiors feature a neutral palette with blond Australian cypress flooring and white painted wood paneling. The main level's living-dining room, facing the beachfront, is furnished with white linen slipcovered sofas, Asian-themed accents in blue, and contemporary local art. A screened-in wrap-around porch includes a hot tub and ocean views. The kitchen, though compact, is highly functional with a bead board-covered island, cream-colored cabinets concealing appliances, and blue Bahia granite countertops. Pires's office, in contrast to the breezy aesthetic of the rest of the house, features dark walnut paneling, plantation shutters, and built-in library shelving, displaying his collection of boxing memorabilia. The second floor includes an office-sitting area, a guest room, a bedroom for Pires's daughter, and a master bedroom with ocean views from the turret. Pires reflects on the project, stating their goal was not merely to build a large house but a well-designed and crafted home, honoring American architectural history while creating a lasting, beloved residence. #HomeDesign #CoastalArchitecture #ShingleStyle #HistoricPreservation #DeweyBeach #ArchitecturalDesign #InteriorDesign #OceanfrontHome #CustomBuilt

The article highlights the innovative Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) house designed by Susan Jones of Atelier-Jones in Seattle. This project is significant for several reasons, primarily its use of CLT, a material praised for its sustainability and structural benefits. The house, though relatively small at 1500 square feet, is built on a challenging triangular lot, showcasing how design ingenuity can overcome site limitations. Its construction also incorporates near-passive house standards, emphasizing energy efficiency and healthy living. Cross-laminated timber is a recurring topic on TreeHugger due to its environmental advantages. It is made from wood, a renewable resource, and effectively sequesters carbon, making it a carbon sink. CLT is strong enough to substitute steel and concrete in taller buildings, offering a more sustainable alternative. A crucial benefit of using CLT, as highlighted in the article, is its potential to utilize lumber affected by the mountain pine beetle epidemic. Billions of board-feet of pine-beetle infested wood are available, and using them in construction prevents them from rotting and releasing carbon, thus turning a ecological problem into a resource. Beyond its environmental credentials, CLT offers superior living qualities. Houses built with CLT are noted for being almost entirely silent, providing excellent acoustic insulation. The material also exhibits high resistance to fire and earthquakes, as demonstrated in Europe where 4,000 CLT houses were built to replace structures destroyed by an earthquake in northern Italy in 2009. The Susan Jones CLT house is one of the first of its kind in Seattle and among a small number in North America, signaling a potential shift in construction practices. Jones' design for the Seattle house is particularly complex due to the triangular lot. Instead of a straightforward rectangular structure, the design includes intricate angles and a distinctive notch along the long side. This design element not only maximizes natural light penetration but also subtly defines and separates interior spaces, such as the living and dining areas. The roof design further exemplifies this complexity, with panels carefully mitered in Structurlam's factory in Penticton, BC, ensuring a perfect fit during on-site assembly. The engineering challenge was addressed by Harroitt Valentine, who designed a tension ring to secure the structure. Interior aesthetics embrace the natural beauty of CLT. The wood is left largely exposed, showcasing its warm tones and natural textures. The article mentions the use of beetle-damaged wood in the cores of some panels, recognizable by its blue hue, which adds a unique visual characteristic. The internal walls are finished with a sealer, allowing the wood to be the primary visual element. Attention to detail is evident in features like the custom-routed patterns in the master bedroom wall, which required extra effort during manufacturing but resulted in a beautiful effect. The seamless detailing of windows within the CLT walls also contributes to the overall refined appearance. Further emphasizing its sustainability, the house is constructed to almost Passive House standards. It features an orange Wrapshield vapor-permeable air barrier and a thick layer of Roxul rock wool insulation, significantly reducing reliance on foam and lowering embodied energy. The use of specialized Heco Topix screws for strapping the insulation indicates a meticulous approach to construction quality. While air tightness for full Passive House certification is still being tested due to electrical wiring drilling through the wood, the overall commitment to healthy and sustainable materials is paramount. The exterior cladding uses Shou sugi ban, a charred wood finish that is both aesthetically pleasing and durable. This project serves as a compelling example of sustainable, healthy, and beautiful residential architecture, demonstrating the potential of CLT and advanced green building techniques. #CLTHousing #SustainableArchitecture #GreenBuilding #CrossLaminatedTimber #PassiveHouse #ShouSugiBan #SeattleArchitecture #EcoFriendlyDesign #CarbonSequestration

When constructing a coastal home, it is crucial to carefully consider its architectural and interior design to reflect the local landscape and regional lifestyle, alongside the homeowner's individual needs. Coastal residences, much like mountain or lake properties, often serve as retreats from daily life, emphasizing the surrounding environment as a primary motivator for their existence. These homes are designed to facilitate both serene introspection and lively social gatherings. The 2022 Southern Living Idea House, situated in River Dunes, Oriental, North Carolina, exemplifies these principles. Located on a prime corner lot overlooking the Neuse River and Pamlico Sound, this 4,125-square-foot North Carolina home was conceived by a team of architects, designers, and builders to be a communal space, seamlessly integrating indoor and outdoor living. Architect William Court of Court Atkins Group offers key advice for optimizing a dream coastal escape. Maximizing views is paramount for coastal homes, especially those directly on the water. Strategic positioning of the house on the lot is essential, as are decisions like placing the primary bedroom suite on the second floor or orienting a guest bedroom's soaker tub to capture specific natural light or sunset views. Creating adaptable family rooms that can expand by opening French doors to a covered porch or deck also enhances the connection to the outdoors. Porches are considered vital components of coastal homes, particularly in Southern climates where heat and insects necessitate outdoor living spaces with protection. Options include decks, patios, screened porches, and covered verandas. Wraparound porches or those spanning multiple sides of the structure are frequently incorporated to boost airflow and visibility, allowing occupants to enjoy different views and weather conditions throughout the day and year. Coastal living often embraces a more relaxed lifestyle, making multifunctional spaces essential for home livability. Unlike traditional homes with distinct, formal rooms, coastal residences benefit from flexible areas that can adapt to various needs throughout the year, such as accommodating visiting family or different seasonal activities. This design approach ensures the home functions efficiently and supports a casual, adaptable way of life. The selection of appropriate materials is critical for coastal homes due to challenging environmental conditions such as high humidity and salt air. While historic wood-sided homes possess charm, they demand constant maintenance. Modern alternatives like Hardie plank and synthetic porch decking provide the aesthetic of traditional wood without the rigorous upkeep, offering durability and longevity in harsh coastal environments. Incorporating regional influences and vernacular design is also a key consideration. The term "coastal" encompasses a wide range of styles, varying significantly from one region to another, even within the same state. For instance, the architectural style of the River Dunes community, while coastal, draws heavily from nautical and maritime themes, reflecting a boat-specific lifestyle. The goal for projects like the Southern Living Idea House is to blend seamlessly with the local architectural narrative while introducing a contemporary interpretation of coastal design, rather than simply replicating historical styles. This approach ensures the home is anchored to its location's unique identity and heritage. #CoastalHome #HomeDesign #Architecture #SouthernLiving #OutdoorLiving #MultifunctionalSpaces #BuildingMaterials #RegionalDesign #IdeaHouse