Beaux Arts Residence, Lot size: 16,258 sf Building size: 5,937 sf ...
Beaux Arts Residence, Lot size: 16,258 sf Building size: 5,937 sf, Location: 2737 107th Ave. SE Beaux Arts, WA, Single Family Residence
COEXISTENCE This suburban 4,000 square foot residence was designed to house a family of six on .37 acres of land in the small municipality of Beaux Arts, Washington. The land, which previously held a small cabin, was blessed with seven magnificent Douglas Fir trees in a grassy field. The architects choreographed the circulation of the residence to encourage the owners to have an emotional connection to these trees, while maintaining a sense of privacy in a dense but quiet neighborhood. The residence itself was organized into two wings with a central gathering space between them. The west wing houses the children’s bedrooms and their playroom. In the east wing are the master suite, study and guest areas. The central gathering area – containing the kitchen, dining room, and living room -- is a single volume, defined by a high ceiling and a transparent wall of vertical lift doors opening onto the adjacent southern courtyard. The wooden roof of this central space is supported by four slender steel columns. This high “light” structure is juxtaposed with the lower, “heavy” brick wings. This contrast of mass reinforces the nature of both materials, while viscerally delineating the differences between the public and private zones of the house. With the main axis extending from the front door to the largest of the firs, the trees have become an integral element in the life of this family. An inherent part of the design was the arrangement of high-performance glazing (Cardinal LoE 272) combined with insulation in excess of code requirements to counter the thermal effects of the southern exposure. Radiant heating and energy-efficient appliances further minimize energy usage. The landscaping is dominated by native vegetation; Vine Maples, Salal, Oregon Grape, Western Sword Fern, and native grasses which are complimented by permeable pavers to reduce run-off. All construction materials including custom masonry were locally-sourced to further reduce the impact on our environment.
COEXISTENCE This suburban 4,000 square foot residence was designed to house a family of six on .37 acres of land in the small municipality of Beaux Arts, Washington. The land, which previously held a small cabin, was blessed with seven magnificent Douglas Fir trees in a grassy field. The architects choreographed the circulation of the residence to encourage the owners to have an emotional connection to these trees, while maintaining a sense of privacy in a dense but quiet neighborhood. The residence itself was organized into two wings with a central gathering space between them. The west wing houses the children’s bedrooms and their playroom. In the east wing are the master suite, study and guest areas. The central gathering area – containing the kitchen, dining room, and living room -- is a single volume, defined by a high ceiling and a transparent wall of vertical lift doors opening onto the adjacent southern courtyard. The wooden roof of this central space is supported by four slender steel columns. This high “light” structure is juxtaposed with the lower, “heavy” brick wings. This contrast of mass reinforces the nature of both materials, while viscerally delineating the differences between the public and private zones of the house. With the main axis extending from the front door to the largest of the firs, the trees have become an integral element in the life of this family. An inherent part of the design was the arrangement of high-performance glazing (Cardinal LoE 272) combined with insulation in excess of code requirements to counter the thermal effects of the southern exposure. Radiant heating and energy-efficient appliances further minimize energy usage. The landscaping is dominated by native vegetation; Vine Maples, Salal, Oregon Grape, Western Sword Fern, and native grasses which are complimented by permeable pavers to reduce run-off. All construction materials including custom masonry were locally-sourced to further reduce the impact on our environment.
