Spruce forest gives way to Suncrest Residence

We are on Orca Island, Washington, and a 3000 square foot residence makes way for an old fir forest with occasional rocky glades and several small ponds

Using wood and concrete, Heliotrope Architects minimize Suncrest's impact on the site, in complete harmony with its location. The house is positioned where the forest gives way to a large rocky clearing overlooking the Salish Sea, a waterway straddling the United States and Canada

The house is wrapped around a prominent bedrock outcrop and carefully positioned to require minimal tree removal. The house's long, narrow footprint allows each room a view of the sea while maintaining a strong connection to the surrounding forest. The low curved shape helps to nestle the house into the landscape itself

The palette of materials was chosen to harmonize with the colorsEng and textures of the surrounding nature and consists of wood, concrete, zinc, steel and glass. The interiors act as a neutral backdrop for the art found throughout the house, much of which is the work of the owner