The clients asked us to design a home for their family of four that was by turns tranquil and surprising, so connected to the trees and the hillside that it would feel like a virtual walk in the woods.
From early ‘homework assignments’, we learned how connected the clients are to the region and how much pleasure they took in walking the property. Through a series of model workshops, we worked with them to design a house that is vehicle for experiencing the site in different ways, ranging from rooms that are tucked into the hillside to others that float above it. The spaces are just right, well-proportioned and tailored to the site and the family
For the interior, the owners wanted finish selections for their house that felt timeless and serene while also hewing to their very specific and artistic point of view. Large fields of end grain hemlock with a whitewash finish, white painted trim, and ebonized fir windows are graphic but calm repeating elements. Elsewhere, walnut cabinets, concrete tiles, and porcelain tile set into special layouts appear in smaller quantities.
Primary color is also introduced through the use of red panels in the kitchen cabinets, a red lacquered metal staircase, and red and blue textiles throughout the house. The furniture selections include contemporary classics, a few modern pieces, and enough vintage to provide a feeling that matches the custom nature of the house.
Project name: Tree House
Architects: DeForest Architects – https://www.deforestarchitects.com/
Location: Burien, Washington, United States
Year: 2017
Photographer: peter bennetts – https://hariskenjar.com/
DeForest Architects Team: John DeForest, Michael Knowles
Interior Design: Ore Studios
Contractor: Toth Construction
Structural: Evergreen Design Company
Landscape: Richard Pulkrabek Landscape Architect
#foresthouse #americanhouses #pugetsound #housedesign