HIGHLANDS RESIDENCE

Location:  Seattle, Washington
Type:  On The Boards

Set within the wooded enclave of The Highlands north of Seattle, this residence was conceived as a quiet retreat, unfolding across a mature landscape. Designed on two adjoining parcels, the project maintains the general footprint of a previous home that had been torn down, in order to preserve much of the site’s natural character and existing access points. The orientation of the new house was determined by a small opening in the trees that offers a view of the water. Early studies explored consolidating the program onto a single parcel, but the scale and layout of the home made full use of both sites necessary.

The design is organized into three primary structures: a private residence, an entertaining pavilion, and a separate tea house set along the slope of the garden. The main home anchors the composition, with a wellness level below that includes a pool, hot tub, and treatment rooms. A long spine connects the garage, mudroom, laundry, pantry, and study—creating a stretched, linear plan that supports the rhythm of daily life. The program includes two guest bedrooms and a pair of primary suites, each designed as its own space but linked by sliding, shoji-like doors.

The tea house, a freestanding structure raised lightly above the ground, sits within the sloping garden and was imagined as a place for quiet reflection. Movement through the compound is intentional: from the entry courtyard, guests can turn toward the entertaining pavilion or continue into the private wing, with views framed toward the garden and the forest beyond.

Architecturally, the home is contemporary in form but influenced by Asian design traditions. It features extensive wood detailing and textured materials that bring warmth to the composition. The proportions are restrained, with careful attention to how one moves through the site and experiences light, view, and enclosure. The result is a design that feels calm, deliberate, and closely tied to its landscape. 

Images: Conica Studio