ENVELOPED BY NATURE

Nestled comfortably next to a family farm, this rural home by architecture firm MW Works was designed to offer a warm, comfortable retreat without the built structure stealing the show.

Located on a rural lot on Whidbey Island north of Seattle, a farm-owning family hoped to add a part-time residence to the edge of their existing site. Tucked slightly out the way into the edge of a dense forest, this retreat overlooks chicken sheds, cattle fields, a fishing pond and a traditional red barn, providing a cosy yet modern addition to the existing space.

Perfectly portioned

Designed to be comfortable for just two visitors, the house has the capacity to accommodate up to 20 people to ensure there’s space for the whole family. The home is made up of two discrete modern structures: the main four-bedroom house and an additional bunkhouse to accommodate guests.

Woven in amongst fir trees, these two structures are defined by a low wall of local Basalt stone, which both defines the perimeter of the courtyard and creates a link between the house and bunkhouse. Full-height windows provide layered views of the changing seasons, while the trees were incorporated into the design, in order to ensure the construction had as little impact as possible on the surrounding environment.

Natural elements

The interior of the space pays homage to beautiful natural elements, particularly wood and stone. Many of the doors and wall art were carved from solid cedar slabs by the family patriarch decades earlier, creating a link between the family’s long history with the area and the new family home. Naturally weathered wood and locally quarried stone walls add a charming rustic quality to the home.

With black steel accents, the design not only effortlessly embraces the home’s surroundings and a warm, rustic feel, but it modernises the space, creating a sleek, simple look without compromising on the warmth of its interior.

Reflecting both the layered history of the site as well as the multi-generational family for whom the homes were created, this design is a masterclass on creating a perfectly tucked-away retreat in which the family is sure to enjoy its summer BBQs, fishing retreats and family gatherings.

 

Source: MW Works & Dezeen

Images: Kevin Scott