Sky Ranch House

The owner of Seattle based architecture firm Rain City Architecture and his wife were expecting their first child and decided that they needed a little more space than their original 1932 salt box home offered, standing tall at 702 sq. ft. The full scale renovation and addition to the home allowed for more space and to bring the home's systems up to date. The lot is narrow with encroaching structures on either side of the existing house. This presented a unique design dilemma, how to achieve quality levels of light and air throughout the home without losing privacy. The decision was made to open the home upward. Ideally suited to its marine climate, averaging 226 overcast days a year, the openings to the sky allow the residents to take advantage of precious sporadic sun breaks throughout the months of grey.

The home serves as a three-dimensional sun dial. The light shifting through the space as the day (and season) progresses.