Projects A Traditional House with Modern Amenities
A Family Retreat by the Water
Two doctors from Seattle with college-age children contacted Sakshi Uomoto of Lindal Cedar Homes’ Seattle office to design their vacation home; a family weekend retreat on Orcas Island that will eventually become their retirement home.
Property Location
The home, known as Cove House, sits on a 1.2-acre lot atop a bluff overlooking the water with a 270-degree view of the San Juan islands and views across Rosario Strait. Stairs descend the embankment to access a private beach.
Exterior Design and Materials
The couple wanted a minimalist-style home to preserve and highlight the stunning surroundings. The husband gravitates towards an exposed and rustic look, while the wife enjoys a tropical feel that incorporates bright colors and textures. Working collaboratively, Sakshi created a custom design using the modern Lindal Elements grid system, which was perfectly suited to the couple’s desire for pleasing proportions and symmetry. While equipped with modern amenities, the structure pays homage to the island’s heritage. Japanese proportions, rough cedar soffits, and rustic cedar cladding both inside and out gives the home the warmth and charm of a cabin in the woods. Sakshi proposed concrete for the floor and some external wall finish, stamped to show the material’s natural curing process and to mimic the textures of the natural on-site environment. The monochromatic exterior allows this Orcas Island home to blend into the hillside. Pops of red at the windows and doors add visual interest.
Layout and Floor Plan
The 2,500 square foot, two-story residence is set up to accommodate a growing family. On the ground floor are two bedrooms for the couple’s children with a shared bathroom accessible from both rooms. The upper floor houses a master suite with a walk-out deck from which to enjoy views of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountain range. The upper floor plan includes a big bunk room for future guests and grandchildren.
On the lower level, slab on grade stamped concrete floors extend from inside to outside, separated by a 15’ x 8’ accordion door that leads to a sunken custom stainless steel hot tub.
Interior Design Features
The couple selected an earth-toned color palette for the interior with lots of wood. Choices for the kitchen include rough-honed walnut wood cabinets and dark grey concrete counter tops.
The ceilings are lined with rough cedar, and the home is supported by dark-stained glulam beams.
Sustainable Design
The home is designed with passive house principles to take advantage of the natural heating and cooling systems of the environment that surrounds it. Cisterns on site will capture rainwater to use as greywater in-house and irrigation outdoors.
The future addition of solar panels will charge the couple’s electric cars. Windows on the waterfront side are triple-paned for maximum energy efficiency. The home is oriented on-site at a slight angle to channel the wind so it doesn’t get trapped in the courtyard, as well as to make the most of the million-dollar view!
“Even though we use the same structural system, every project and process is unique,” said Sakshi. “No two sites are the same, and no two people use a space identically. The flexibility of the Lindal Elements system was fundamental in designing the Cove House as an immersive experience in its surroundings.”
Other projects by Seattle Cedar Homes >>
About Seattle Cedar Homes
Seattle Cedar Homes is the only Lindal dealership owned directly by Lindal Cedar Homes and housed at its corporate headquarters in Seattle, Wash.
Sakshi Uomoto, the lead designer at Seattle Cedar Homes, will design your home with you, taking into consideration your program, budget, schedule, site challenges, and building and zoning codes. With a flexible building system, Lindal home designs come in many different layouts and allow for a variety of client needs.
Contact us to discuss your home project in greater Seattle.
Sakshi Uomoto
COA | AIA Associate | NAHB
sakshiu@lindal.com
Lead Designer, Seattle Cedar Homes
(206) 892-1205