Olson Kundig

Located in one of Seattle’s most established residential areas, City Cabin’s design answers the client’s desire for a private urban retreat that would connect her to nature. A staggered footprint on the lot allows for dense landscaping, and extensive glazing throughout the house increases solar gains and maximizes garden views. With the goal of net-zero energy use, the home’s design incorporates key sustainability features, and the incorporation of thick greenery onto the site transforms an ordinary urban infill lot into a private refuge.

“The client is an avid conservationist dedicated to preserving existing forests. Here, she is creating a tiny new forest in the heart of the city.” –Jim Olson, FAIA, Design Principal

The 2,400-square-foot home is organized around a central gathering space with two wings extending from it: one with the master suite and the other containing the guest room and storage areas. The heart of the home in plan as well as function, the central area, which consists of an open kitchen and living space, is a single volume defined by a 16-foot-high ceiling and full-height window walls.

The interior palette draws inspiration from the client’s extensive Native American art collection with custom tinted red concrete floors and natural, unstained plywood walls and ceilings. Reclaimed fir siding and galvanized steel roofing continue the emphasis on sustainability and economy. The house incorporates several green strategies such as a green roof, photovoltaic panels and an air-to-water heat pump, reflecting the client’s longstanding engagement with environmental conservation.

Project Team: Jim Olson, FAIA, Design Principal; Renee Boone, Project Manager and Project Architect

Key Consultants: Dovetail, General Contractor; Coughlin Porter Lundeen, Civil Engineer; MCE Structural Consultants, Structural Engineer; WSP, Mechanical Engineer; Palm Room, Landscape Architect; DePelecyn Studio, Lighting Design; RDH, Envelope