In the tranquil setting of Whidbey Island, WA, a multi-generational family, deeply rooted in the area, partnered with mwworks Architects to design a new home on their ancestral farm.
This family, including a senior couple, their grown children, teenage grandchildren, and guests, envisioned a retreat designed to accommodate up to twenty people for summer barbecues, fishing excursions, and family get-togethers.
The site for this ambitious project was set on a rural property, rich with history and natural beauty, including a weathered red barn, chicken sheds, cattle fields, and a fishing pond.
The design of the home was conceived to blend discreetly into this pastoral landscape, nestling into a densely forested hillside in reverence to the agricultural heritage of the area.
Prioritizing discretion and respect for the land, the home’s view from the valley and nearby road is intentionally modest. The architecture aims to capture the scenic views of the barns, pond, and fields while maintaining a deferential stance to the surrounding nature.
The living pavilion stands out as a focal point for the family, embodying the essence of connection with nature, history, and each other. The room’s design celebrates time’s passage through the play of forest shadows and the movement of cows across pastures.
It’s a space defined by local, durable materials, a contrast of rugged stone and warm oak, and custom teak casework accented with blackened steel.
Environmental stewardship was a core consideration. The foundation construction carefully circumvented critical tree roots, and any felled trees were repurposed within the farm.
This eco-conscious approach extended to the layout of the house, divided into modestly sized sections woven amongst Douglas Fir trees and encircling a courtyard of natural shrubs and ferns. A low wall of local Basalt stone subtly demarcates this central courtyard, providing both connectivity and secluded spaces within the home.
Artistic elements crafted by the family’s patriarch, including cedar doors and wall art, weave a tapestry of the family’s legacy into the fabric of the house. A new cedar door in the master bedroom awaits future carvings, continuing this tradition.
The home’s aesthetic harmoniously blends weathered woods, concrete, stone walls, oak window jambs, soft plaster walls, and black steel accents, striving for a balance of rustic warmth and simplistic elegance. This design philosophy extends to the home’s durability and low maintenance, with exterior materials selected for longevity and minimal upkeep.
