Bay View Residence

Designed for a busy family of six – including Bruno the dog – this house provides a dramatic frame for the view, extensive connection to the near and distant landscape, and a peaceful, family-friendly stage for city living.

Located on a bluff overlooking Elliot Bay in Seattle, the Bay View Residence is designed in response to the south-east facing water and city views. On a clear day Mount Rainier, located 58 miles to the south-east, can be seen in the distance. Originally built in 1953, the footprint of the original mid-century modern house was preserved. The main level plan was rebuilt from the deck up, and a shou-sugi-ban-clad tower was added, containing a study.

The house is approached from the street along a terraced walk, defined by a courtyard on the west side, and a stone wall to the north and east. A tall hedgerow of Yew separates the courtyard from the street, and an opening in the overhanging roof frames a view of the sky. The stone – regionally-quarried sandstone from Wilkinson – was salvaged from the original house and repurposed in several locations throughout the building.

The interior, characterized by wide planks of European white oak, frameless glass walls, and blackened steel, is sleek and modern with a decidedly Danish modern feel. All rooms look toward the view, and large rolling glass doors open the living and dining spaces to an outdoor living terrace. A shou-sugi-ban-clad fireplace marks the center of the great room, and a cantilevered steel and wood stair ascends to the study. A cantilevered balcony, assessed from the study, peeks out over the terrace, and a frameless glass clearstory floods the great room with late afternoon light.

The master suite terraces up toward the view on three levels, each containing a primary function. The upper terrace contains the sleeping room, complete with a large window seat sitting below the framed view.