Architecture

Interurban Residence

Three wings create protected woodland retreat

Heliotrope Architects arranges 3 wings around a central clearing on a wooded site in the Pacific Northwest. Each wing serves a different program.

Heliotrope Architects designed Interurban Residence in collaboration with Amy Baker Design for a wooded site in Seattle, Washington. The house divides into 3 separate wings arranged in an L-shape, each topped with simple gable roofs that channel rainwater into half-round gutters.

The tripartite organization separates different aspects of family life. One wing contains shared spaces for daily activities. Another houses private bedrooms. The 3rd wing includes practical spaces: garage, exercise room, and guest suite. The perpendicular arrangement creates protected outdoor areas while ensuring woodland views reach every interior room.

The exterior uses Kebony, a thermally modified wood from Norway that requires no additional finish. The material arrives honey-colored and weathers naturally to silver, eventually matching the Douglas firs and Western red cedars on the site. This process eliminates ongoing maintenance while allowing the house to integrate with its forest setting over time.

Interior spaces feature floor-to-ceiling windows and high ceilings. The designers chose natural materials in light, neutral colors, letting Pacific Northwest light provide primary visual interest. Wood floors receive hard-wax oil finish to handle family use while maintaining warmth.

Furniture includes a mix of upholstered seating, wood tables, and custom elements like specially designed wallpapers and art glass pendant lights. The Kebony exterior, neutral interior palette, and woodland views compose a consistent material sequence from site to furnishing.

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