Bringing light and life to a Lake Washington redesign

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[["images-card",{"images":[{"url":"http:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/dpcbzfiye\/image\/upload\/v1679557835\/xolbjpfxeegfpt6xkvzc.jpg","id":"6607125"}],"caption":"Before-and-after images of the redesign show the dramatic transformation, which kept the original footprint but added a second volume and third floor. "}],["images-card",{"images":[{"url":"http:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/dpcbzfiye\/image\/upload\/v1679557889\/drqaltxpnnjbbfvpurcv.jpg","id":"6607126"}],"caption":"Andersen E-Series windows and gliding patio doors flood the first floor with natural light and focus attention on the lake and view of Mount Rainier and the Cascade Mountains."}]],"markups":[["a",["href","https:\/\/www.castarchitecture.com\/","target","_blank"]],["b"],["sup"],["i"],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.andersenwindows.com\/windows-and-doors\/series\/e-series\/","target","_blank"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.andersenwindows.com\/for-professionals\/architect\/architectural-tools\/","target","_blank"]]],"sections":[[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"A pristine example of the Northwest vernacular takes shape along the shore of Lake Washington in Seattle. AIA partner Andersen reveals how CAST architecture navigated challenges with space, footprint, and land-use restrictions."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"It was not an easy renovation. Even if it hadn\u2019t started at the beginning of COVID, the home is on Lake Washington in Seattle, making it subject to a number of land use restrictions. \u201cIt would have been much easier to tear down and start from scratch,\u201d said Lead Architect Tim Hammer. Doing so, however, would have meant losing the grandfathered-in setback and a lot of living space. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"So Hammer and his team at "],[0,[0],1,"CAST architecture"],[0,[],0," got creative with a plan that overcame the barriers and resulted in a design that fits the family\u2019s lifestyle and taste, and makes the most of their home\u2019s stunning surroundings. "]]],[1,"h3",[[0,[1],0,"Space for 21"],[0,[2],1,"st"],[0,[],1," century living"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"When the owners approached CAST, they had been living in their home for several years and were increasingly finding it lacking in accommodating their family\u2019s changing needs and hobbies. The existing home had a compartmentalized layout and a gable roof that cut off views of the lake and mountains beyond. To make the updates needed, while complying with land use restrictions, CAST created a design that fit in the home\u2019s original footprint but added a second volume and a third floor. The new space includes a yoga studio and office for the wife, a music room for the husband, and a second more casual living room for the kids that\u2019s complete with a kitchenette and a bonus space that one child has adopted as her art studio. "]]],[1,"p",[]],[10,0],[1,"h3",[[0,[1],1,"A Northwest aesthetic"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Of course, needs were only half of the equation. \u201cThe goal was to design a home that would be transformative programmatically "],[0,[3],1,"and "],[0,[],0,"stylistically,\u201d Hammer said. The homeowners wanted a place that \u201cembodied Northwest modern architectural aesthetics.\u201d "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"CAST is deeply rooted in the local vernacular and therefore was well positioned to create the right design. To do it, they focused on glazing that would both frame the natural surroundings and counter the overcast weather. Those efforts were furthered by a layout featuring open-concept public spaces that make the most of the natural light while also promoting casual togetherness. Honest treatment of local materials furthered the look. A stone chimney punctuates the lake side, adding stark beauty inside and out, and black tongue-and-groove wood is a theme repeated in accent walls and cabinetry throughout the home."]]],[1,"p",[]],[10,1],[1,"h3",[[0,[1],1,"Making the most of a stunning locale"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The additional space created the conditions needed to shift focus back to the scenery. \u201cSwitching to a shed roof created almost theatrical views,\u201d Hammer said. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Floor-to-ceiling "],[0,[4],1,"Andersen E-Series windows and gliding patio doors"],[0,[],0," make the most of the drama on the lake side where the public rooms are concentrated. But the street side wasn\u2019t forgotten either. The stair is located there and features a monumental window with a skylight above and internal windows surrounding it. Although this lightwell was key to the daylighting scheme, it added a complication due to its orientation toward the garage. Complying with land use restrictions meant the garage had to stay in its original location, so Hammer and the team came up with an elegant solution: a green roof. Native plantings now enliven the garage roof, creating a beautiful focal point that also roots the home deeper in its region. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Careful planning, creative problem-solving, and a deep understanding of the area resulted in a home that perfectly suits its owners and \u201ccaptures the essence of 21"],[0,[2],1,"st"],[0,[],0," century Northwestern life,\u201d as Hammer put it."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[3],0,"If you\u2019re ready to spec out windows and doors for your next project, "],[0,[5],1,"explore the sizing tools available on Andersen"],[0,[],1,"."]]]]}