Tasked with creating a light-filled home that would accommodate the needs of a growing family of five, Stuart Silk Architects set about designing a functional living space, while highlighting contemporary architectural elements that capitalize on the sweeping views seen from this Seattle lake house. The end result for the 12,000-square-foot residence is a space accommodating both intimate family gatherings as well as entertaining friends interactively.
Because this home is in an established, dense residential neighborhood, the design limits the amount of glass facing the street side to provide privacy. Concerned about a blank wall with too few windows, two wood-clad bays were introduced to modulate the facade and create a sculptural three-dimensionality to the home.
Conversely, on the south side, the house features as much glass as possible to maximize the panoramic views of Mt. Rainier to the south and the Olympic mountains to the west. The window system was selected for its ability to span long distances with minimal framework to ensure visibility. In the living room, a 30-feet-long-by-10-feet-tall high-performance glass window wall runs the entire length of the room. Each panel is operated electronically for ease of use.
Inside, the central stairway forms a sculpture-like floating ribbon and connects the upper bedroom level and the lower floor containing the entertainment, media, and playroom which spill out to a large terrace with swimming pool and spa. The rails are clad in dark stained oak while the treads and risers are dark marble, setting the tone for the earthy palette and precise, tailored aesthetic of the rest of the interiors.
The lower portions of the dark-stained wood columns in the entry and living room are wrapped in patinated steel, adding a layer of sophistication and materiality. The living room fireplace picks up on this visual device, featuring steel below and painted plaster above.
In the primary bathroom, a deep cone-shaped oculus is centered over the floating bathtub to create a dramatic effect as the light rakes the mosaic tile on the circular wall framing the bathtub. Access to the primary closet is directly through the bathroom with framed views of the skylight and bathtub. The closet doubles as a comfortable sitting room and an additional place to hang out while dressing.
Outside, the terracing of the yard on the lakeside of the house provides much-needed play areas for the kids. A path to the lake and a new cove were designed for easy access to the shoreline and to enhance the shoreline in support of salmon habitat.
Landscape Architecture: Land Morphology
Construction: Toth Construction
Photography: Kevin Scott
For more like this Seattle lake house, be sure to check out this hillside retreat on a private island off the coast of Washington.
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