The Washington Park Residence is a contemporary home that can be found in Seattle, Washington, and it was designed skillfully by a company called Conard Romano Architects. With fabulous views of the nearby Cascades and Eastside, this is a fabulous place to call home indeed, but apart from its remarkable panoramas, it also impresses with comfortable living arrangements and high-end amenities.
The street part of the abode boasts thick concrete walls that ensure proper thermal insulation. Interior highlights include floor-to-ceiling windows, a welcoming living room with its own fireplace and comfortable leather seats, high quality wooden floors and impressive art pieces. Outside, a stone terrace flaunts a lovely dining table as well as comfortable loungers that can be used for relaxation and socialization.
As far as sustainability is concerned, the Washington Park Residence features a geothermal heating system as well as a green roof that greatly reduces storm water runoff.
From the Sullivan Conard Architects:
The Washington Park Residence sits on a bluff overlooking Lake Washington and the Cascades. The design takes advantage of the site by capturing broad, unobstructed views while preserving privacy.
The design explores the contrast between mass and transparency with thick, thermally insulated concrete walls forming the major portions of the street facade. The walls are layered and modulated to provide carefully framed views from west facing rooms, add depth and shadow to the facade, and orchestrate the entry sequence through the courtyard to the front door.
Upon entry the transparency of the east side of the house is revealed. The reflecting pool at the east edge of the terrace eliminates the need for a railing and merges visually with the waters of Lake Washington 80’ below. Floor to ceiling steel framed windows and doors form the east walls, while cast in place concrete chimneys anchor the ends of the major rooms.
The building’s massing reflects its program with a main volume housing the primary living areas of Great Room, Kitchen, and Library. The sleeping wing, separated by a glass walled bridge, is oriented east-west on the south edge of the site. The garage, with apartment above, extends west along the north edge to form the entry courts.
Concrete, steel, wood, and stone comprise the restrained material palette. The green roof mitigates storm water runoff while the geothermal heating system reduces fossil fuel consumption.