This new ground-up urban infill residence is strategically located at the intersection of two major bike routes in the Mount Baker neighborhood of Seattle. The lot is narrow, but has lake and mountain views to the east. We sought to craft an efficient custom residence that uniquely represents the Owners’ personality and lifestyle within a realistic budget.

Project Name: Cycle House
Studio Name:
Chadbourne + doss architects
Location: Seattle, United States
Photography: Benjamin Benschneider
Project size: 2500 ft2
Completion date: 2012
Building levels: 3

Cycle House by chadbourne + doss architects - Sheet1
Kitchen ©Benjamin Benschneider

Our clients, a very active couple, wanted a home that would not only have storage and maintenance space for their 18 bicycles, but would also be fun for entertaining through a strong connection to the exterior. They were very engaged in our design process, even providing us with scent vials meant to evoke sensibilities they wished to experience in their home- cool ocean, woody comfort, industrial, and balanced quiet/calm.

Cycle House by chadbourne + doss architects - Sheet2
Rooftop Seating ©Benjamin Benschneider

They also gave us a metaphor of Iceland, which provided inspiration for a refined industrial, natural, and stark pallet of materials. The challenge was to create a cost efficient home where the couple could immerse themselves daily in their passions while still being energy efficient and low maintenance.

Cycle House by chadbourne + doss architects - Sheet3
Fireplace ©Benjamin Benschneider

We constrained the footprint to allow for a vertical home in order to capture the higher panoramic views, with the master bedroom on the top floor. Roof decks, wraparound fenestration, and open space orientation are meant to connect occupants to the site and make the house seem larger than it is.

Author

Rethinking The Future (RTF) is a Global Platform for Architecture and Design. RTF through more than 100 countries around the world provides an interactive platform of highest standard acknowledging the projects among creative and influential industry professionals.