through spaces

The home's living spaces are up in the tree tops surrounded by lush foliage.

Breezeways and verandas provide external circulation between living spaces.

Sited parallel to each other, the two autonomous bedroom cabins frame perspectival views of the surrounding landscape. Exteriors of all three structures feature mitered corners and cross-laminated timber panels, all nailed by hand.

Throughout the house, the architects oriented windows to capture views of the large oak trees on the property.

The kitchen and dining area are separated by a glassed volume that wraps two mature trees. “The views from the house are defined precisely by materiality so that the forest seems to enter the house,” said the firm.

Building in a wetland landscape with minimal disturbance was the biggest project challenge. "With approval from the Department of Environmental Quality, I was able to integrate the house into the wetlands using helical piers," Karcher says.

The courtyard provides what Stephen calls “a kind of breathing space” between the main house and the laneway house.

The sprawling residence opens itself up to the garden at every opportunity, allowing for a breezy outdoor connection.

The three-story house "engages" the jungle at three levels: the forest floor, dense foliage at the middle level, and the tree canopy on the top floor.

After a lifetime of random remodels, this 1959 Northwest contemporary ranch home in Seattle's Madison Park neighborhood finally received an overhaul that makes it shine. Seattle–based SHED Architecture & Design undid the outdated layers, updating and modernizing the home while paying respect to its original midcentury charm. The renovation juxtaposes light and dark elements—Douglas fir is set against dark bricks and oversized concrete floor tiling. This convention aligns with the home's original material palette while adding a contemporary vibe.

Sunlight pours into all sides of the interior, lending living spaces the scientifically proven benefits of increased exposure to natural light.

Serizzo white granite flooring features in the outdoor wraparound terraces.

A glass bridge leads from the entry tower to the kitchen.

The frames around the glass were kept minimal so as to put the attention on the outdoors. The polished concrete flooring inside merges easily with the courtyard to encourage a sense of indoor/outdoor flow.

The entire home is encased in glass and soaked in natural light.