Verdant courtyard occupies centre of Seattle home by Chadbourne + Doss

A courtyard designed to create an “idealized Pacific Northwest atmosphere” is at the center of this Seattle home by local architects Chadbourne + Doss.

The three-story house called The Perch is located in the Queen Anne Hill residential area of ​​the city. Facing west for views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, the house “surrounds a courtyard that embodies an idealized atmosphere of the Pacific Northwest,” according to Chadbourne + Doss.

The Perch House is located in Seattle’s Queen Anne Hill neighborhood

This central outer space is reached by swinging open a large cedar door that reveals a moss-covered island and a tree surrounded by board-shaped concrete walls.

“You are greeted with the sights and sounds of a water feature with a lush island, walnut swings floating over the water, and a patio with a fireplace that opens to a western view [Puget] Sound, “added the architects.

The house is surrounded by a central courtyard with native plants, a water feature and a swing

The courtyard separates the two wings of the 511 square meter house.

The owner’s apartment occupies the western half of the house, while the east offers space to entertain guests or possibly accommodate a future caretaker for the residents.

Floor-to-ceiling glass offers views of the courtyard from the two connected wings of the house

A dramatic hanging staircase connects the two halves and overlooks the courtyard through a wall of windows that runs the full height of the building.

Stair treads are made of walnut, while vertical blackened steel bars form balusters intended to indicate the area’s high annual rainfall.

Blackened steel balusters are a reminder of the region’s frequent rainfall

All bedrooms in the house are on the middle level. Here the architects have also integrated a second seating area and a kitchenette that can be used by long-term guests, the family or a caretaker.

“They wanted a home that ages well, supports their active lifestyle, and adapts as they age,” said Chadbourne + Doss of the homeowners.

The couple expand their family’s bungalow in Seattle

The upper level contains the common areas, which have an open configuration that makes the most of the dramatic sunset views towards the Salish Sea.

“The landscape is constantly changing, with a view of the Olympic Mountains on glorious sunny days and urban views in the foreground when the fog hangs low,” said the architects.

Upstairs living spaces enjoy city views

Sliding glass doors open onto a covered balcony that helps residents enjoy the outdoors despite Seattle’s frequent rain. On the east side of the house there is another terrace with a large dining table and grill, which the city has to offer.

The exterior range includes panel concrete, metal siding, and red cedar, all selected for their durability and low maintenance.

Covered terraces enable residents to spend time outdoors even in bad weather

Chadbourne + Doss also included sustainable features such as high-performance windows and a photovoltaic system on the roof that produces more energy than residents use.

The minimalist interior is kept in muted tones, with tactile accents such as a three-story plastered surface along the stairs and light felt wall paneling in the owner’s bedroom.

Minimalist interior and panoramic views in the bedroom

Chadbourne + Doss is run by Lisa Chadbourne and Daren Doss, a couple who met while studying architecture at the University of Washington. They founded their company in Seattle in 2001 and also have an office in Astoria, Oregon.

Other Seattle homes include a modernist floating house on Lake Union by Studio DIAA and a historic bungalow that was renovated by Best Practice Architecture.

The photography is by Kevin Scott.

Project Loans:

Building & Construction: dovetail
Landscape architecture: Land morphology