This Seattle artist desired to construct a house in Washington’s San Juan Islands where she could be inspired to do her job for the majority of the summer, but she did not wish to spend the entire time in isolation. Her house needed to have living space space for guests and studio space. Instead of constructing a large two-story house with all the identical water views, the architects split the house into three separate one-story structures. Which minimized the impact on the landscape while embracing every part of it. Presently a studio, guesthouse and chief house make the most of the perspectives of the water, the woods as well as the magnificent present madrona trees on the rocky bluff.
in a Glance
Who lives here: This is a Seattle artist’s summer and weekend residence.
Location: San Juan Islands, Washington
Size: Main house: 1,400 square feet; guesthouse: 650 square feet; studio: 500 square feet
Mohler + Ghillino Architects
“We carefully choreographed the entry order,” states Rick Mohler, of Mohler Ghillino Architects, that worked with project lead Rik Adams on the plan. Upon arrival one experiences a course of discovery, appearing from the woods to obtain the studio and then continuing along to the guest house and main house.
“Her job is more inwardly focused, so the studio’s perspectives are much different than people from the others,” Mohler states. The clerestory windows face north and let in the light in addition to the view of the woods. The studio doesn’t have big views of the water.
Mohler + Ghillino Architects
Next one walks past the guest house, which comprises two bedrooms and a bath. The distinct structure provides the guests privacy and enabled the architects to tread lightly on the landscape, nestling the constructions into the website rather than building one big two-story house with all the same views.
Having separate buildings also means that the homeowner may turn the heat off in the guesthouse when it’s not being used.
Mohler + Ghillino Architects
“There’s a rhythm along the path, made by the different shed roof orientations,” Mohler describes. Details such as rafter tails beneath these roofs break things up and increase the rhythm.
At the end of the entry order, one arrives in this entry court; it’s shared with the primary house and guesthouse and gets the first glimpse of the water views.
Mohler + Ghillino Architects
“We love to utilize corner windows; they tend to open up the space and the view,” Mohler states. Here, near the front door, a corner window cuts diagonally across the primary living space, revealing a dramatic view of the water and Vancouver Island.
Mohler + Ghillino Architects
You can see how this operates on the plan. The cap of the program is that the entry-court side; the base is that the water-facing side.
The architects also placed larger decks from your main house, using a narrow deck across the water-facing facade to maximize the views and expand the rooms out.
Mohler + Ghillino Architects
“The owner did not mind us pulling back on the website a bit, which enabled us to display the view through the gorgeous madrona trees; this made for much more interesting and lively perspectives,” Mohler states.
Mohler + Ghillino Architects
Breaking up the structures also allows the house to float atop concrete piers that are cast directly onto solid rock just below the soil. This meant very little excavation was required and thus there was minimal effect to the website. “The piers also make the house feel lighter inside the landscape,” Mohler states.
Mohler + Ghillino Architects
The main house’s magnificent butterfly roof soars toward the skies and opens the structure to southern light and the view off the rugged bluff.
Mohler + Ghillino Architects
Windows reflect the view; the trim color matches the grass and the ⅞-inch corrugated sheet metal siding; as well as the roofing and railings mix in with the sky.
Metallic end: Zincalume
Mohler + Ghillino Architects
The front of the main building is all one open living space and comprises the dining room, living room and kitchen. The master suite is tucked into the rear corner (on the left side of this picture), allowing a floating bathtub to feel like it’s from the woods.
Mohler + Ghillino Architects
“Lots of homes are just what we call see machines, with every room focusing just on the same view of the water,” Mohler states. “This website had an unbelievable diverse all-natural landscape, and also we needed to expose the structure to each of the land had to provide.”
Team:
Main accountable for Rik Adams, with Rick Mohler and Rick Ghillino
General contractor: JAS Design Build