Set in Queen Anne, this house captures expansive views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. The house was surgically reworked to improve the flow, function, and orientation of spaces. A calm palette of white oak casework, light and dark stone tiles and slabs, and white walls serves as a backdrop for the owner’s eclectic furnishings collected over decades of working abroad. With a long overdue building envelope and systems upgrade, including a large PV array and battery backup system, this house will be resilient and efficient for decades to come.
SITE
The house is situated in Queen Anne with dramatic views of the Puget Sound, Bainbridge Island, and the Olympic Mountains.
PROGRAM
At street level, a redesigned entry sequence establishes a more intuitive arrival experience and a clear threshold between the mudroom and the main living spaces. Beyond, the kitchen was enlarged and opened to the living and dining area, forming a continuous space oriented towards views of the Puget Sound.
The lower floor is dedicated to guests and leisure, with private bedrooms, a redone media room and bar, and a reconfigured entertainment area that anchors the social space. The guest bathroom connects directly off the sauna to function as a spa experience with a wet zone, a soaking tub, and an existing skylight that brings natural light into the moody interior.
The upper floor serves as a private retreat for the homeowners. Reconfigured circulation improves flow throughout the level while making room for dedicated office space, laundry, and separate closet areas.
DESIGN
The original floor plan incorporated a 45-degree rotation that became a defining part of the project’s DNA. The renovation builds on this geometry, with openings and millwork selectively oriented along the diagonal to capture views and enhance circulation. Custom casework runs throughout the home as a unifying thread, bringing warmth to the spaces against the more structural elements of the renovation.
A reconfigured flared skylight becomes a central architectural piece, positioned to better serve the main living space and establish a visual and spatial connection to the office above. The shaft is flared to broaden the spread of natural light, while an integrated motorized shade, concealed when open, provides control against the strong southwest afternoon sun.
PERFORMANCE
