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Hilltop residence on a bluff overlooking Lake Washington

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Water is a constant presence throughout this Washington Park Hilltop Residence by Stuart Silk Architects, set on a bluff in Seattle overlooking Lake Washington. Views of the vast lake, Mt. Rainier and North Cascades dictated the orientation and transparency of the elevation facing the water. A plan then evolved to integrate water features into the home, to be experienced from inside and out.

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An unequal-sided โ€œHโ€ plan places the entry, living and dining areas in a central pavilion, while flanking wings contain the familyโ€™s private rooms. The passages to the wings are compressed between gently moving water courses inspired by the canals of Suzhou and Venice. These serve not only as ever-present reminders of the beauty of water, but also the nature of passage through life as one navigates across the homeโ€™s interior and exterior spaces. The alignment of the canals also focuses the buildingโ€™s orientation toward the views.

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The mood of the house is quietly contemporary. The clients sought a quality of architecture that would outlive passing trends. They were also vitally concerned with the homeโ€™s sustainability; the architects incorporated many options that contribute to the projects durability and efficiency. Some examples include a green roof, gray water collection system, and solar panels for water heating.

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Though the building is geometrically simple, it offers a rich juxtaposition of solidity, transparency, and liquid movement.

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Photos:ย Rob Perry Photography

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