Lake Washington Residence
This 4000 s.f. residence and carport is located on a steep wooded
site on Lake Washington. Entered from above via a bridge, this
residence transitions between a steep forest and open sweeping
views of Lake Washington. The bridge lands on the 3rd floor covered
roof terrace, which offers protection and an upper level deck.
A central steel and concrete stair descends through the house
to the living area on the ground floor which opens to the shore. Two large cantilevering wood framed boxes rest on a continuous concrete wall. They contain the more private program spaces on the second and third floor; a self contained guest house is located on the top floor. The "boxes" are clad on all surfaces in clear cedar siding which continues to clad the ceiling under the boxes. The edges are trimmed in contrasting metal. The glazed void between the boxes is occupied by the main stairway. As one descends down the stairs, the view alternates between open water and hill side. The house is naturally ventilated; the central stair acts as a "stack" to pull air through the house.
The primary materials for this house are wood framing, exposed concrete and concrete floors, red cedar siding, galvanized and black steel. The window systems are wood exterior clad in mill finish aluminum. Cabinets are bamboo veneers on apple-ply plywood.