North Elevation, shed roof breaks up the mass of this elevation and follows the ground slope.
This residence represented a special challenge due to its location and the configuration of the site.
A premium price is paid by those wishing to live on a lot with saltwater frontage. It is no surprise, then, that they would wish to maximize the value of their investment. Invariably the foremost wish on the part of the client is to enjoy their investment by maximizing views of the waterfront. Often the first response is to put as much glazing as possible on the elevation with waterfront exposure.
Compliance with the Washington State Energy Codes, meeting earthquake criteria and high wind loading makes copious quantities of glazing problematic.
Energy code requirements were met by the 'prescriptive method'. Given a certain set of construction standards, floor area and a glazing performance level, a maximum allowable area of glazing results. That 'glazing budget' was used judiciously to maximize the best views.
Seismic and wind loading concerns were dealt with through the careful design of vertical and horizontal shear diaphragms.
The site was narrow and steeply sloping in two directions. The design solution entailed a compact design, which minimized the overall amount of vertical drop. Further, the residence's massing was broken up in such a way to follow the slope and present no more than two stories at any one view.
Per the topo lines the site's slope is steep and at a 45 degree angle to the property lines.
1st Floor: Note the square aspect ration of the main living areas. This minimizes the elevation drop form corner. The lower floorplan follows the grade with several levels: Up from landing to a ground floor exit and to the other bedrooms. The master bedroom steps down with the grade creating a higher ceiling and more dramatic space. Note the windows wrap around the corners, breaking the box and providing more expansive views of the waterfront.
2nd (Main) Floor: The step down of the lower master bedroom/bath area created an opportunity to provide a sunken living room area. Higher ceilings and windows that wrap around corners create a more expansive and open living room area. The garage is at the same level as the kitchen, allowing for easy transport of groceries from trunk to pantry.
Upper Floor - Great Room. Expansive space that provides more intimate recesses and yet has great communication with living room below.
Residence is designed to step down with grade. Shed style roof elements parallel with slope ease the transition.
View of residence from waterfront. Cascading provide outdoor experience for main and lower levels plus a ground level exit. Building mass is never more than two stories from ground.
View from driveway. All elevations are well articulated. There is no "plain backside".
Interior from stairway. High, vaulted ceilings with wrap around windows make for a very unrestricted and comfortable space with expansive views of Mud Inlet in Puget Sound.
Interior space is dynamic and unrestricted.
Under construction. The client choose to use a heavy paint that covered the shingles and made them disappear, to a degree.
Follow this link for a blog post that goes in depth into issues designing a waterfront residence:
