Fauntleroy Residence
The site is a narrow beachfront lot with three existing structures – one modest main house and two rustic cabins. The panoramic views to Puget Sound and the mountains are framed by four elegant fir trees planted by the original owner.
The beachfront community in which the house is located was developed at the turn of the century as a summer getaway. Over the years many of the cabins have given way to larger permanent homes and few remnants of the old community remain.This house was designed as a minimalist counterpoint to protect and preserve the fragile nature of the existing rustic cabins. Wherever possible, archeological remnants of the site were preserved. As one approaches from the street the house appears as a simple one-story structure which subtly references the context of the older neighbors. Only later as one walks through the entry gate does the expanse of the simple shed roof become apparent, drawing one’s eye over the lowered bedroom box to the view of sound and mountains beyond.
The house is a series of sequential spaces slowly unveiling itself. Exterior courtyards and interior spaces weave together and constantly blur the relationship between outside and inside. Reflecting pools are used to reference and recall the visitor’s first distant views of water.
The entry terrace, which serves as an outdoor sitting room, was placed at the East end of the house away from the water view to provide protection from the prevailing winds off the water. A fire element in the space provides heat for year round usage. The open floor plan with simple, large gestures (such as cabinets on the south wall only), again contrast the small tight spaces of the cabins. Lowering the master bedroom four feet allowed continuous views out of the main space reinforcing the notion of a Northwest picnic shelter. All details were conceived to eliminate as much visual noise as possible and further contrast with the existing cabins.
Although the cabin and the new residence can be viewed and experienced separately and are stand-alone pieces, together the intended contrast heightens the visitor’s experience of both.
