Leschi Residence Renovation Seattle
Completed 2019
1600 s.f. Main Residence, 500 s.f. detached Fitness Studio, 300 s.f. detached Studio
2021 Seattle AIA Home of Distinction Award winner
Early discussions with the Owners of this 1980 3-story home uncovered a shared admiration for the early Sea Ranch development in California and Italian origins of the Memphis Movement. Owners Tom and Jen bought this home expressly because of the unique qualities reminiscent that Era’s economical vernacular modernism construction style. The home’s location, it’s opportunistic and playful primary forms, the interconnection of interior volumes, and the chance to create a more customized living environment were all either enhanced or reworked into bringing new life into this house.
Our design approach pays homage to the original house’s era by elaborating on and modernizing its more iconic qualities through color and materiality. Bold colors and shapes were applied in a nod to the the expressive supergraphics by Barbara Solomon found at the Sea Ranch, with a material and color mix reminiscent of the Memphis Movement. We enhanced the interconnection of volumes, using translucent materials and creating new openings between various rooms and floors. Using economical materials such as polycarbonate, natural wood and applied colors in paint, tile and wallpaper, we were able to create a house with distinct qualities that interplay with each other.
Some small additions helped improve views and create more openness to the exterior at the main residence. The home was fully gutted and new insulation, fenestration, and mechanical upgrades were installed to create a better energy performing home. The detached Garage was transformed into a Fitness Studio. A former Hot Tub platform provided an opportunity to design and build a detached Studio nestled into the sloped and forested backyard - with its form mirroring the playful qualities of the original home.
General Contractor: MRA
Photography: Melissa Kaseman Photography and Nicolaas Wilkens
