West Cost Forest Residence
Nestled in the trees on Vashon Island, Washington, the Forest Residence is a multi-generational residence designed for three generations to live in close connection with each other—and with nature. The main residence is composed of three cabins—one for the couple, one for the children, and one for shared living—interlinked by a series of glass walkways and elevated decks. These structures form a collective living space while preserving a sense of privacy and scale.
A short distance away, across the property, sits the grandparents’ cabin: a pair of joined volumes echoing the same black-clad form and material palette as the main house, offering both independence and visual continuity within the landscape.
The design celebrates outdoor living, incorporating areas for barbecuing, outdoor dining, a garden, and a soaking tub to the south. Clad in monolithic black siding with a black standing seam roof, the Forest Residence strikes a bold yet quiet presence amid the forest canopy.
Dark Exterior
Roof Line
Interior Space
Lights and Windows
Open Concept
Outdoor Connection
Massing
Floorplan Organization
Dark Exterior
The series of dark monolithic forms—clad in black siding and topped with standing seam metal roofs—create the feeling of a modern forest hamlet
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Roof Line
The gable roofs run parallel, and on the north side, a covered living area is clad in light-colored siding and framed by two aligned gable forms. The west side of the house opens to a thoughtfully placed garden, enhancing the connection to the landscape.
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Interior Space
The living room is centrally located with an entertainment wall, and above it, a transom gable window brings in abundant indirect light that fills the space.
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Lights and Windows
The windows are arranged in parallel to create a strong sense of architectural transparency, seamlessly connecting the interior with the surrounding landscape. Natural light fills the bright interior through expansive glazing from east to west, complemented by a transom window on the north side.
Open Concept
The kitchen, dining, and living areas are organized in an open-concept layout that encourages flow and connection. The kitchen is efficiently designed with a compact footprint, supported by a pantry and laundry room tucked behind, while an outdoor kitchen is conveniently located to the left for easy indoor-outdoor entertaining.
Outdoor Connection
The outdoor space features a garden, dining area, barbecue, and soaking tub, creating a seamless extension of daily living into the landscape.
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Massing
The building form emerges from a series of Nordic cabins aggregated together, creating a modulated and layered composition.
Floorplan Organization
The central space contains the kitchen, living, and dining areas, while private rooms are positioned at each end. The elongated building form is designed to maximize natural light exposure across all volumes.
