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Sustainable forest retreat in Washington with light-filled interiors

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In the foothills above Snoqualmie is a beautiful house built for two mountain guides not far from their work in North Bend, Washington. The 2,100 square foot, three bedroom residence has been designed by Johnston Architects and built by Tall Tree Construction, accommodating both professional and practical demands, but also fulfilling a deep desire to do what is right. This house was built on site with many materials found, milled and crafted on the site.

Blow-down trees from storms provided the logs that were milled into siding, fascias and trim. Large firs and cedars were felled, cured and processed to provide beams and some framing materials. A ground source heat pump supplemented by solar water preheating supplies energy to the house. To this, recycled materials, FSC certified materials, grey water recycling and other strategies are the basis of the soon to be achieved LEED Silver status of this house.

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The historic fabric of this complex lies in the history of use of the land and indoor/outdoor occupation of forested space. The mudroom, nearby wood storage, use of varied floor materials to shake off the debris of the outside, simple roof forms are all part of this solution.

Above: The standing seam steel roofing material is supported by open web wood and steel trusses. The footprint is about 28′ x 36′.

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Rather than dig the house into its hillside, the architects bridged across for an upper floor entry, minimizing grading and other disruption to the existing environment. Two thousand native plantings were made to restore the forest floor upon completion. Even on a grey and rainy day this forest retreat is filled with light.

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Above: Behind the home is a garage/studio, which has no bedrooms but an office and gear room.

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Above: Some of the timber for this project was harvested and milled on the site. The gray siding is a corrugated steel, manufactured by AEP Span. The color is called Cool ZACtique II, and most siding distributors carry the product. The green panels are painted hardi-panel.

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Fact: The cost is approximately $225 per square foot to build this 2,100 square foot home.

Above: Notice the clever water drainage method. A large ground trough to contain rooftop spillage on the left, and the rainspout stream toward the centre of the photo.

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Above: The second level entry overlooks the bright and airy living room. The bar joists on the ceiling are Red-S trusses by the Redbuilt Co.

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What We Love: This highly sustainable forest retreat reflects it’s owners love of the outdoors. The complex is very livable within its beautiful and tranquil forested environment. Even during gloomy and rainy weather, this home is filled with natural light. Overall this home offers its inhabitants a comfortable and eco-friendly retreat to relax and unwind… Readers, what do you think, would this retreat be cozy enough for you to live in?

Note: Have a look at a couple of other incredible home tours that we have featured here on One Kindesign from the portfolio of Johnston Architects: Extraordinary Cascade Mountains retreat with eco-conscious features and Charming cottage-style home on Lake Washington.

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Above: The modern kitchen is warm and practical. The walls are bamboo plywood and the cabinets are fir.

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Above: A cable railing was designed using blackened steel angles and stainless steel cables. The walls are bamboo plywood. The flooring is from Plyboo. Sliding barn doors separate the master bedroom balcony from the entry and living room.

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Photos: Will Austin Photography

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Name Withheld
6 years ago

There’s nothing wrong with modernism if it makes your jaw drop and your eyes pop out. This one was a snoozer. It belonged in an urban environment. It had zero connection to its setting. I say we dig it up, put it on a trailer, and haul it to downtown Seattle. It’s an eyesore in the woods.