With the exception of a guest suite, the Pierre functions on one main level, with an open plan kitchen, dining and living space. A large pivoting steel and glass door opens for access to an outdoor terrace.
To set the house deep into the site, portions of the rock outcropping were excavated through machine work and handwork. The contractor used large drills to set the outline of the building, then used dynamite, hydraulic chippers, a selection of wire saws and other hand tools, working with finer and finer implements as construction progressed. Excavated rock was re-used as crushed aggregate in the concrete flooring. Excavation marks were left exposed on all the stonework, a reminder of the building process.
Throughout the house, the rock extrudes into the space, contrasting with the luxurious textures of the furnishings. Interior and exterior fireplace hearths are carved out of existing stone; leveled on top, they are otherwise left raw. The master bathroom’s sink is composed of water cascading through three polished pools in the existing stone. Both the entry sequence and a powder room are fully carved out of the rock.
Project name: The Pierre
Architects: Olson Kundig – https://olsonkundig.com/
Location: San Juan Island, United States
Area: 2,500 ft²
Year: 2010
Photographer: Dwight Eschliman / Olson Kundig, Benjamin Benschneider / Olson Kundig
Consultants: MCE Structural Consultants, CPL, Associated Earth Sciences
Design Principal: Tom Kundig
Project Manager: Chris Gerrick
Interior Design: Charlie Hellstern
Interiors Staff: Cristina Acevedo, Christine Burkland
Contractor: Dowbuilt
Craftspeople: McCallum Rock Drilling, Westlake Concrete, Modrock Concrete Design, Turner Exhibits, Terry Wean, Rob Capelle, Decorative metal Arts, Argent Fabrication, 12th Avenue Iron, Dowbuilt, Kelly Worrell, Irene McGowan, Village Interiors, Twisted Metal, JD Equipment, Nutech Stone Cutting, Tydi Cut, Optimum Windows, Olympic Glass and Door, HI-Tek Lightworks, Rude Electric, Prokash
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