Project: Lone Madrone Retreat
Architects: Heliotrope Architects
Location: Orcas Island, San Juan Islands, Washington, USA
Area: 1,600 sq ft
Photographs by: Sean Airhart
Heliotrope Architects have designed the Lone Madrone Retreat on a charming site on the Orcas Island within the San Juan Islands in Washington, USA.
This forest getaway offers 1,600 square feet of living spaces, all of which have access to stunning views provided by the pristine location of the plot. It is surrounded by a lush forest except for the front side which opens up to the coast.
Located on a rocky, wind-swept south facing shoreline; this 1,600sf retreat home nestles into the landscape in order to harmonize with it’s surroundings and minimize exposure to weather. Designed with retractable wall panels to protect from punishing winter storms, the house nevertheless opens up completely to the outdoors when the weather is fair — allowing the owners to fully interact with the landscape and view. The site is within the San Juan Islands National Monument, with extremely sensitive shorelines and marine environment. In order to minimize impacts to natural systems, a garden roof was employed to replace landscape lost to construction, and storm-water flows were engineered to replicate the pre-construction condition. Local materials (primarily douglas fir and western red cedar) and local craftspeople were utilized in all aspects of the project.
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