Lake Washington Residence

Tucked between the Burke-Gilman trail and Lake Washington, we designed a custom, modern home on a rare double lot on Seattle’s lakefront. The proposed design sites the home in approximately the same location as the existing structure, minimizing the building footprint and preserving the south-facing yard. An existing detached garage will be rebuilt and designed to accommodate a green roof. The low slope roof of the house opens up toward the south. Careful placement of windows and doors frame panoramic views of the lake while providing privacy from adjacent neighbors and the trail. A series of covered decks extend outdoor living during the wet and gray months. On the east portion of the lot, an existing lawn will be preserved while an elevated south lawn will provide a more intimate gathering space around an outdoor fire pit. A series of landscaped steps helps ease the transition between the two outdoor zones.

As is often the case, schematic design images reflect the culmination of months of careful analysis and research. This site is subject to not only shoreline requirements, but also environmentally critical area designations, existing non-conforming structure challenges, land use constraints and a geotechnical soils analysis. As architects, part of our job is to weave these various requirements with the client’s ideas and goals to create a design solution that meets both the big picture dreams as well as the technical minutia. Construction is underway and we look forward to sharing more photos as things progress!

Design by: Studio Zerbey Architects + Interiors
Structural Engineer: Swenson Say Faget
Landscape Architect: Alchemie Landscape Architecture
Envelope Consultant: RDH Building Science
Built by: DLH Construction