Orcas Island Residence

SITE PRESERVATION — GREEN BUILDING — PACIFIC NORTHWEST DESIGN — RESIDENTIAL DESIGN

ORCAS ISLAND, WASHINGTON

To preserve the site, this complete renovation works within constraints of the building footprint of both the primary house and log cabin. The project captures the client’s desire to expand outdoor living space, increase glazing area, and improve flow through the buildings and interaction with the waterfront site.

The main home, built right up to the water’s edge, is completely reorganized to provide efficient social spaces and optimized views. A new raised roof structure, plus a wall of glass doors provide easy spill-out to the deck and expansive water views.

The new design cantilevers the kitchen toward the water and wraps it in a ribbon of glass so the space feels immersed in surrounding nature. The wraparound scheme with a large island provides space for cooking and entertaining. The addition of a wet bar/coffee counter relieves functional constraints on the kitchen.

The bedroom wing is reorganized to provide comfortable and luxurious suites, with new openings thoughtfully placed to highlight views of the waterfront.

The plan takes over an existing gazebo structure near the water to provide deck space for the main house, turning the gazebo into a glassy multi-use space for a yoga studio, workspace, and guest room. 

A separate two-story cabin is renovated to align with the level of finish in the main house while preserving the existing log cabin character. The kitchen was reconfigured to allow for independent cooking. The number of bedrooms upstairs is increased, and new built-ins reorganize the office space, to optimize outdoor access and views.

Green Design: Reuse, preservation of existing siting/structures, captured embodied carbon in existing construction