Nautilus Property

Located near Everson, Washington, one finds a rare property of 30+ acres of mature second growth forest, interspersed with meandering foot trails. Nestled against the protected forest sits an architecturally collectible custom home, intact with original millwork built-ins throughout. The home features indigenous Nooksack river stone in an interior walkway, with the timber-framed structure washed in a submarine hue. Thermal earth berms give rise to an array of sweeping glass windows that open onto an expansive pasture. The nature-inspired structure is shaped in plan like a nautilus shell. A seasonal creek springs forth each year, giving life to an array of flora and fauna. The land is celebrated and preserved through a conservation easement for the generations.

In the mid-century, a new architectural movement aligned with nature to fully utilize the benefits of natural design and gained momentum. Washington was the epicenter of this movement. The idea of living on the land in private recluse was forefront, where the land provided all the necessities for life: food and fuel, work and play, from sunrise to sunset. These organic homes balanced the best of living independently. One such example is the Nautilus Tree Farm, close to Everson, a quiet rural enclave near Bellingham, and close to the USA/Canada border. When the sons of the original land conservators set out to see that the property gracefully transitioned to the next generation of owners, they were careful to honor the special ecosystem and preserve.

"Located within a large plat of land with an open field facing south and traversed by Fourmile Creek, this project presented my parents with an unusual opportunity to enjoy ongoing conservation and enhancement of the forestland. They facilitated the land’s former glory and beyond, and created a home imagined to take full advantage of open plan living," said the estate executor, Jeff Kronenberg.

Three deep rows of towering fir, cedar, and pine trees conceal the east boundary of the property, creating absolute privacy for the residents. Still, glimpses of Mount Baker and the Twin Sisters white caps maintain a sense of connection to the surroundings, reinforced by the sound of trickling water, owls and wind in the trees.

At the end of a meandering crushed limestone drive complete with moss-covered log fencing, one discovers the residence. It is in original condition, a 2,676 square foot home with an open carport and connecting office/guest room.

The cedar-line driveway transitions slowly from the forest canopy into a light open pastoral view. The first building on the land, a large workshop and thermal greenhouse, is nestled against the forest edge. The wood heated structure offers spacious storage for equipment and firewood stacks, and is plumbed with well water. It’s fronted with a modular glass greenhouse, mimicking the carport, which affords seedling development and year round cultivation.

The home and connected guest room are linked by an open carport that has a modular glazed roof system. The stained exterior wood cladding withstands the wet climate; a set of full panel glass doors and many skylights act as filters, creating a dramatic play of light and shadow inside the voluminous space.

The master bedroom suite has a semi-private connection to the living space, with a modest low wall separation. Additional private zones are tucked away at the end of the nautilus shell, including an enclosed bedroom with an adjacent sleeping loft, a guest bathroom, and a utility room. Accessed from the carport is a multi-level office and/or third bedroom, with below grade, earth-cooled wine cellar. The enclosed rooms in the nautilus shell are adaptable for remote work or an independent studio. There are chambers for sleep, study, listening to music, and relaxation.

"The connecting pathway along which all functional parts flow is a gently curving stone and concrete river, where thresholds peer to form a modest gallery and where the occupants of this house—a husband and wife, biologist and a psychiatrist—shared their love of art collection," says design consultant, Janice Stevenor Dale, FIIDA, CID, NCIDQ. The curves of the living spaces are supported by a cluster of debarked natural timbers, which centers the open plan. The path’s end culminates at the interior dining area with 360-degree views interior and exterior. Double glass doors open on to a stone patio and a panoramic view of the orchard and pasture. A redwood table on the patio awaits the family for dining al fresco.

Stevenor Dale describes the clerestory windows of the house as a muse in that they frame cinematically nature’s activities in the pasture: deer, rabbits, squirrels, and raptors. "Looking between the trees across a verdant pasture, one sees the workshop log structure with a windowed center, peering back at curious wildlife," she says.

Embodied in the biomorphic nautilus shape, the architect (Stradling & Stewart) created an “aquatic intent” emphasized by the blue green glaze on the timber, bright green moss on fallen trees, the sage exterior, and the refracted light through the glazing. Subtly crafted, earthy materials are celebrated—tumbled river stones embedded in concrete, native fireplace stone, stained timber and cedar wood. Everything relates to one another, reflecting the symbiotic order of the systems of nature.

“Our parents had a unique and beautiful vision for this property," say the owners, Jeff and Joel Kronenberg. "We helped to build and maintain the home, and to conserve the forest over decades. Yet we are still discovering nuances and subtleties of the spaces that they created—the volumes, the materials, the textures, the palette—and the view to the blue sky adrift with cloud changes throughout the day and year. This will be a joy for many years to come."

The Gaia Charter
"Let the design:

be inspired by nature and be sustainable, healthy, conserving, and diverse.
unfold, like an organism, from the seed within.
exist in the "continuous present" and "begin again and again".
follow the flows and be flexible and adaptable.
satisfy social, physical, and spiritual needs.
"grow out of the site" and be unique.
celebrate the spirit of youth, play, and surprise.
express the rhythm of music and the power of dance."
- David Pearson

Description Written By Janice Stevenor Dale, Jeff Kronenberg, August 31, 2022