G
rowing up in the Pacific Northwest,
surrounded by nature and enjoying sublime
landscapes of mountains, lakes and rivers
had a big influence on Tom Kundig and Jim Olson's
personal lives and professional paths. e two
run their design practice in Seattle with Kirsten R.
Murray, Alan Maskin and Kevin Kudo-King.
Olson, who has explored the aesthetic interplay of
art, nature and architecture for over five decades,
says "living close to nature is the greatest luxury."
Kundig, meanwhile, respected nature from a very
young age, and says, "I've always preferred to be
outside more than inside." With such a background,
it comes as no surprise that all the firm's projects
are based on the idea that "buildings can serve as
a bridge between nature, culture and people," and
that "inspiring surroundings have a positive effect
on people's lives," according to the duo.
Located on an 18-acre site of rural agricultural
proper in Trout Lake, Washington, a few steps
from White Salmon River, this nearly 6,600-square-
foot retreat was designed for two artists. One of
them is a painter and photographer; the other is a
textile artist and designer. Both incorporate the
natural landscape into their work. e owners
trusted Kundig to imagine their perfect home and
creative retreat, asking the architect to achieve two
main goals: e proper had to be connected to the
surrounding landscape to maximize opportunities
for indoor-outdoor living, and it needed a studio
space "separate from the house, but related in form
and materiali," explain the architects. Organized in
four buildings, which recall the forms of vernacular
agricultural structures, the project was the perfect
opportuni to honor Kundig's vision: "By blurring
the boundaries between inside and outside, our
buildings connect people to nature, leading to
healthy and productive environments where
individuals are engaged in their surroundings," the
architect says. "Our architecture reminds people that
they are deeply intertwined with the environment,
even when they are inside."
e proper is arranged in two groupings: the first
comprises the main house, a woodworking shop
and a carport under a single roof with a T-shape. A
12.14.2018 | DIGS.NET 137
(from le) Minimal
finishes such as concrete,
plywood and steel were
used in the interior
spaces. For the owners
of this home, a key
element was to maximize
opportunities for indoor-
outdoor living.
