North Lake Wenatchee

 

Rustic. Modern. Cozy. Sophisticated. This mountain retreat was designed to bridge two worlds with natural ease.

 
 
 
Lake-Wenatchee-2.jpg
 
 
Family values
 
 
 

Family Values

The owners, an active family of five, had been coming to a rental cabin on this lake for years and were ready to build one of their own. Homework assignments helped define core values for the project - a house that unfolded in time and space rather than giving away its secrets all at once; a modern design at home in its surroundings; and ’natural ease’, a comfortable, low-maintenance getaway to help focus on enjoying family and the surrounding environment.

 
 
 
bank drive
 
 
 

Wayfinding

The beautiful, wooded site drops in elevation between the road and the lake. The house serves as a path through the woods, creating small clearings and indoor and outdoor rooms where movement and exploration are encouraged. The alternating roof forms create a variety of scales of space.

 
 
 
movement and exploration encouraged
 
 
 

The Right Size

The owners were looking for flexible space that accommodated their kids and guests, but also didn’t feel too large when it was just the two of them. A media room hides behind a secret bookcase, providing overflow space. Reading nooks convert into spare sleeping space. A sleeping loft makes a bedroom larger when it needs to be.

 
 
 
 
 

Project Team

DeForest Architects Seattle Studio Lake Tahoe Studio | John DeForest AIA, Rosie Donovan, Brett Smith
Interior Design | Theresa Benny Interior Design
Landscape Design | Richard Pulkrabek Landscape Architect
Structural | Evergreen Design Company
Contractor | M&M Quality Construction
Photography | Benjamin Benschneider

Publications

The Cedar Book, Vol. 8
Irish Times Newspaper, for secret door
Wohntraume USA, January 2013
Foothills Magazine, January/February 2013
Timber+Design Australasia, Fourth Quarter 2011

 

NEXT UP:

Yum Yum Farm

This small Iowa farmhouse evokes traditional forms while giving them a modern twist.

 
lighter-darkblue.jpg