Suncrest Residence

14. March 2011

San Juan Island is one of a number of islands in the Salish Sea, a waterway straddling the United States and Canada. On an understandably dramatic site with mature douglas firs, rocky outcroppings, and water views, Heliotrope Architects curved this long and low house to cradle the landscape and orient views. The architects answered some questions about their design.

View of west side of house (from south end looking northwest)

What were the circumstances of receiving the commission for this project?

We had designed a home for good friends of the owners and they were very familiar with us prior to receiving the commission.

View of terrace and space between main house and guest suite

Can you describe your design process for the building?

We worked to intimately connect the building with the landscape in a way that both minimized site impacts and maximized the experience of the site for the owners. Focus was on an existing rock outcropping with views to the sea to the west and mature douglas fir and madrona forest to the east, with the house placed along the point where the two met.

View from terrace

How does the completed building compare to the project as designed? Were there any dramatic changes between the two and/or lessons learned during construction?

Building is built per very comprehensive construction document package and with few changes or change orders.

Site Diagram - location and views

How does the building compare to other projects in your office, be it the same or other building types?

The home fits within the continuum of our work, which is focused on the individuality of client and site. In this case, our clients were interested in concrete, wood, an expressed structure and a color palette that harmonized with the environment.

E-Mail Interview conducted by John Hill