This striking modern dwelling was designed by David Coleman Architecture, located in the Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. This house demonstrates the potential of outside-the-box conceptualization and the value of adaptive reuse as applied to a modest, residential program. An existing, gable-roofed farmhouse – built in the early 20th century and located in the rear yard setback – was extensively renovated and re-purposed.
A three-story tower was added to the north-west corner, creating two outdoor courtyards and doubling the size of the structure. The result is a home that fully engages the site and opens to unexpected views of Lake Union and the city skyline. The original structure contains a family kitchen on the main level and kids rooms above. The tower contains the stair, a sitting room on the ground floor and a two-story master suite above. A wooden ladder leads to a large roof deck.
Above: According to the architects, “the wood siding is tight knot cedar, coated with a Cabot semi-solid stain. It is set with open joints on firing strips and backed with a rain-screen paper.” The grey color that you see on the facade is unfinished, fiber cement panels.
What We Love: This modern dwelling offers clean lines and contemporary spaces that are well designed and comfortable for family living. The rooftop deck offers a great space for entertaining and enjoying views of the lake and city. Spread out over three levels, there is a feeling of spaciousness that was created with the open layout.
Readers, what are your thoughts on this home design? Are there any features that stand out to you? Please share in the comments below!
Facts: The dwelling encompasses approximately 2,000 square feet of living space with three bedrooms, a play room for the kids, two-and-a-half bathrooms, two courtyards, and a roof deck.
Above: A guardrail is required by code, at the top of the landing. However the homeowners liked the openness of the space and decided to remove what was existing. The architects have created a new design that would be in keeping with an open feeling. Materials of glass and blackened steel will be used for the new staircase for this space.
Above: The windows are anodized aluminum sourced from Milgard.
Above: In the dining area, a 3-Form window screen is held on place by stainless stand-offs by CF Laurence. The dining table was custom designed out of walnut.
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Above: The bathroom flooring features Norwegian quartzite.
Above: The roof deck is accessed via a ladder in the master bedroom, which leads up to a custom, glass roof hatch.
Above: The mold-formed polyethylene furnishings on the roof deck were sourced from Design Within Reach.
Above: The free-standing cabinets in this space were sourced from Ikea.
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Above: The outdoor natural gas fire pit was custom designed and built. A concrete box features a fire ring that is covered by stones.
Photos: Ben Benschneider
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