A Hillside Lindal Shaped by its Site

The design is a composition of five rectangular volumes that increase in height as one moves from the private areas to the most public spaces. The two large, east-facing windows, provide a surprise view through the house of the Seattle skyline in the distance.

A 4’ wide metal-framed pivot door is the only source of daylight in the compressed entry foyer.

As one turns toward the sunlight, the volume explodes to a 17’ high x 37’ long and 22’ deep great room. The Lindal post and beam system enables the expansive wall of argon filled low-e glass. Mature trees to the west of the house along with a 5’ deep roof overhang shade the glass during the summer months.

The full height window onto the exterior entry porch and the opening to the foyer to its right establish a point that continues with the extra-height kitchen cabinets, coffee bar, and accordion doors beyond, unifying the entire space. The kitchen appliances are all concealed behind cabinet fronts or are on the back side of the island.

The comfortable and relaxed simplicity of the interior is enhanced by the duo-tone color palette. The natural materials of the Lindal post and beam, the laminated beams, clear cedar ceiling liner, fir window frames and trim, and kitchen cabinets are all custom stained in a warm natural hue, while the other human-made surfaces, large format porcelain floor tiles, steel kitchen backsplashes and fireplace surround are in slate hues.

Metal back splash will develop a patina with use and includes a power strip at the base and under-cabinet illumination.

Radiant heated floors throughout provide toasty heat in the winter months. Operable awning windows along the floor admit cool summer breezes with hotter stratified air naturally vented through the higher operable clerestory windows. (The deep protective roof overhangs enable the owner to open these high windows in June and close them in October with truly soothing natural breezes eliminating the need for air conditioning.)

1x6 clear cedar cathedral ceiling softens and calms the minimalist space making it warm and inviting.

The glass great room volume emphasizes the fact that the space is nearly 12 feet out of the ground at the rear elevation, creating a heightened sense of treetop living with glimpses of Seattle in the distance. By the fall, the afternoon sun penetrates the entire great room space.

To satisfy the need for outdoor communal space – an adult entertainment yard -- so high above the natural grade, a 22 x 22 roof deck is accessed through 16’ wide and 9’ high accordion doors from the great room.

Another sliding accordion wall wraps the master suite onto the roof terrace. Sleeping “outdoors” during the summer is a delightful treat.

The frequently used roof terrace surface is an extension of the home’s porcelain tile floor. Glass rails help maximize the sense of connection to the treetops. The gas fire pit takes the chill of the fall and winter and encourages year-round use of the roof terrace.

In stark contrast to the home’s private front elevation, the home’s glowing rear elevations showcase the Lindal post and beam system at dusk. The adult living space of the upper level is complemented by three large bedrooms and shared communal area under 10-foot-high cedar-lined ceilings. The hillside living level, naturally lit from dawn to dusk, adds both cost and energy efficiency to the entire Lindal home.