No Comments »

Watery Views Marry a Zen Sensibility in Contemporary Seattle Home

• Tweet

• Tweet

There is a gentle charm to the easy zen aesthetic of Seattle’s Courtyard House by DeForest Architects.

Set right on a lakefront and overlooking Mount Rainier in Seattle, Washington, the house is fully open to its stunning maritime views.

Cheery sun-drenched bedrooms are so close to the lake that they seem like they are on a houseboat moored at its edge.

The house is quite narrow, sandwiched between the lake view in front and the street, and its floor-to-ceiling glazing can completely open both sides like a pavilion.

Opaque turquoise glass obscures the view into the house from the street side…

…while the view out is created to provide a private garden view with a zen sensibility.

This wall of opaque turquoise glass creates privacy and ample daylight for large showers in identical bathrooms, with spa-like wood panelled ceilings.

Their interiors have a much earthier vibe, with rammed earth walls and very contemporary cylindrical wash basins.

The bathrooms are along the street side, while their bedrooms face the lake.

Another zen touch is the seamless transition between indoors and out – note the wood floor to wood deck – along with the huge expanse of glazings that can be completely opened up.

Industrial strength steel stairs contrast with the soft blonde wood kitchen with its spacious islands to each side.

With its casual flavor of Japan in its use of wood ceilings and modular screens, the architects have created a gentle and charming lakeside home.