It was early 2017 when a Seattle-based empty-nester couple started searching for a property in the San Juan Islands. They still had jobs in the city, but were nearing retirement and wanted a home they could use on weekends, and eventually settle in after they left the workforce. Initially, the two weren’t planning on a new build. But as they canvassed San Juan and the surrounding islands for existing homes and didn’t find exactly what they wanted, the prospect of blank-slate property came into the conversation. With a blue Weimaraner named Storm—and two grown sons they hoped would visit often—the couple envisioned a single-story modern Northwest retreat, all wood and windows, with water views and room for guests.

“We knew heading into retirement that we’d be smart to build a single-level home,” says the wife. “We have an active lifestyle (and dog), so we also wanted the home to use very durable materials. My biggest non-negotiable requests were very large glass windows and doors that opened as much as possible, and that the primary bedroom had a view of the water.”

In 2018, the couple found a rare, undeveloped waterfront property on San Juan Island. The ultimate jackpot for people who love to fish, kayak, and paddle board. It had direct beach access. The three-quarter acre wooded lot featured expansive views—but also presented design challenges, namely exposure. The bay where it sits is extremely windy at times and has proximity to neighbors on either side. A gorgeous, mature madrona tree caught the prospective buyers’ eyes; it would become a focal point when framing the views.

The living room’s wood-burning stove adds warmth during the winter. To the left, a custom cabinet holds firewood and hides the TV.

Photo by ANDREW POGUE

“For the first few years, we had an RV that we kept in town and brought down to the property on occasional weekends that allowed us to spend some time on the property before we made plans to build,” the wife says. “It was helpful to get a bit of a feel for the place as we were considering the design.”

By early 2018, when they were ready to start the design process, the wife already had an architecture firm in mind. “I recalled from more than a decade earlier that a former colleague had built a second home in the Methow Valley,” she says. “The house was featured in Sunset Magazine and designed by what was then known as Balance Associates Architects.” A quick Google search revealed that the firm was now called Prentiss + Balance + Wickline, and it had a large roster of homes it had designed on the islands. After initial meetings, the clients found that the studio’s aesthetic aligned with their own and eagerly signed the architects on to the project.

One of the clients enjoys the view from the deck with their dog, Storm. The madrona tree just feet away was a must-keep for the homeowners.

Photo by ANDREW POGUE

“The house is on a relatively sloped site,” says firm principal Dan Wickline. “We had to figure out how to navigate that.” Working in a downward progression, the architects placed a garage at the upper part of the lot, with a pathway leading to the front door of the U-shaped, three-bedroom house. At 1,705 square feet, the structure is compact, but movable glass walls create physical and visual connections to dedicated outdoor spaces, allowing the homeowners to live “larger” than the built envelope. East and west walls, which border the neighbors’ properties, are opaque, while the north and south use windows to take advantage of the views and let in natural light.

The kitchen has views to the back of the house.

Photo by ANDREW POGUE

The main living area (kitchen and dining room) is an open concept, with a powder room tucked to one side, and the private spaces at the opposite end.The primary suite has a cordoned-off deck with an outdoor shower. Behind it are two guest rooms that share a bathroom; one of the rooms is outfitted with bunk beds. The homeowners find that the house has enough space for them and guests, but if it’s just them and Storm, the square footage doesn’t feel empty or overwhelming.

A cantilevered steel-framed deck runs the length of the living/dining area, with the majestic madrona framed in its center. To prevent the house from sticking out to passing boaters, the architects kept the materials neutral. Softening the industrial dark metal and glass, they chose light wood for siding, oak for cabinetry, and cozy details like a wood-burning stove and a custom-designed media cabinet that hides the television when it’s not in use.

Lake views from the bathroom.

Photo by ANDREW POGUE

“The shell that creates the roof folds down on the sides,” says Prentiss + Balance + Wickline designer James Efstathiou, who notes that it also helps with privacy. “That’s all standing-seam metal, which is super durable and low-maintenance. We bring the warmth back in with the courtyard, where we used Alaskan yellow cedar for the inner shell lining.” Polished concrete floors throughout the house unify the palette and give it a modern edge.

While summertime is the prime season for spending time on the island, the homeowners enjoy the rainy months as well, and look forward to living in their home year-round.

Find the main best views from main bedroom.

Photo by ANDREW POGUE

“Summers are pretty spectacular,” the wife says, “especially when it’s warm enough to open up all the doors so the inside and outside blend together. There is a lot of boat and wildlife activity in the nearby waters, so we like to keep an eye out for the occasional orca sighting, the patrolling seals, and the eagles that live on our end of the island. In the winter, it’s also great to build a fire and watch the rougher waters, especially when there’s a storm. It can be fiercely windy and rough outside, and yet we feel so protected and cozy inside.”

Architect
Prentiss + Balance + Wickline
Contractor
Doug Guard Construction
Landscape design
PBW Architects, Garden Artisan Landscape
Structural engineer
Lori Brown, Evergreen Design Company