On a bucolic, 100 acre farm in Northwest Washington State, we were asked to design a home for a couple approaching retirement. The design brief they gave us was succinct and to the point. The architecture should be unique.
A Farm Rich in Natural Features
Their bucolic farm, located near Arlington, Washington, about half-way between Seattle and Bellingham, offered several notable features. Cultivated pastures and fields of wild grasses, stands of imposing Fir, Spruce and Cedar and a small brook that fed an irrigation pond ringed with rustling cattails.
Choosing the Perfect Location
The building site we chose was a broad, tree framed field with a gentle, South-facing slope – perfect for the passive and active solar applications we envisioned.
A Composition of Sculptural, Oval Volumes
Without any restrictions limiting the desired footprint, we evolved a unique sculptural solution that comprised a collection of identical, glass-enclosed, oval volumes. The first volume was dedicated to the master bedroom suite. The second volume was dedicated to the guest-suites. The third volume was dedicated to a luxurious great room – complete with a prefabricated, free-standing, chef-friendly kitchen featuring Italian marble and stainless steel and wood cabinets.
Prefabricated Oval Forms for Visual & Technical Precision
The exterior walls of the three ovals are identical in scale and construction detailing. This was done to facilitate pre-fabrication of the structures. It also helped enhance the visual impact of three large, fluid shapes interacting with each other to create a single habitat.
Panoramic Views and Fluid Interior Space
The special qualities of the interior spaces were heightened by the decision to keep all the interior walls and cabinets away from the exterior walls. This not only supported the prefabrication but also preserved a viewing panorama from almost any location within the building.
