BC&J Architecture have developed the Olympic View Residence, positioned on Bainbridge Island in Washington State.
From the architects
The Olympic View Property house is a two story property made for a couple newly retired from careers in academia on the East Coast of the United States. The internet site constraints included steep slopes, drainfield setbacks and a zoning variance. The resultant developing footprint reflects these constraints in a manner which eventually accommodated the Owner’s goals for the home.
The house is 2,700 sf and includes all major floor living for day to day functions for aging in location. The upper floor consists of a media region, office, piano and guest bed/bath rooms.
The property is a modern expression of Northwest Regionalism with both accommodation of serious weather conditions and aesthetic considerations for massing, light and presence. The home commands views of Port Orchard Narrows and the Olympic Mountain Range beyond by means of a membrane of glazing rather than standard punched window openings. The glazing membrane in-turn enables the strong massing components of the home to be expressed and meaningful.
A thoughtful use of both exotic materials such as Ipe and clear hemlock as cladding and ceilings respectively and more expense efficient selections such as Hardi Artisan and Hardi Panel bring with each other a blended palette. This articulation of this material palette simultaneously proves to be both warm and substantially grounded.
The strength of the center core of the creating is emphasized by a framework of battered bases on each corner. The tops of the bases are held short of the roof plane by two feet allowing the roof to seem to float above the physique of the residence. The roof then acts as much more of a canopy allowing light to penetrate the creating at all times for the duration of the day and be a lantern for the streetscape at night.
Architect: BC&J Architecture
Photography: Martin Bydalek
