The home has sweeping views of the fields in the valley and Mount Baker, part of the Cascades mountain range. Nelson, of Design Northwest Architects, and Lankford, of Lankford Associates Landscape Architects, worked together from the beginning of the project, and a large part of the collaboration was creating sight lines into other parts of the homestead gardens as well as toward agricultural structures like windmills and grain silos in the greater landscape. This includes views from windows and doorways inside the house as well as views that direct the eye through trellises and down pathways.
The new house sits about where the old farmhouse did; the milk barn to the left was existing; the owners converted it into a playhouse for their grandchildren. The clients attended Washington State University and chose red and gray to match their alma mater's colors; if you look closely, you can see the school's cougar mascot painted on the side of the milk barn.
by Dan Nelson, Designs Northwest Architects
The new house sits about where the old farmhouse did; the milk barn to the left was existing; the owners converted it into a playhouse for their grandchildren. The clients attended Washington State University and chose red and gray to match their alma mater's colors; if you look closely, you can see the school's cougar mascot painted on the side of the milk barn.
There are two main ways to enter the property from the road: up the utilitarian working farm driveway and via the formal U-shaped driveway for guests. "The driveway to the left is part of the working farm, and the owners use it to access the garage as well as for large pieces of farming equipment," Nelson says. The design team strategically sited the garage and driveway to keep these parked vehicles out of view from the house and outdoor rooms.
by Dan Nelson, Designs Northwest Architects
A large part of the collaboration between architect and landscape architect was coordinating the indoor and outdoor spaces in terms of materials and sensibility — for example, this public-entry courtyard that guides guests indoors via a formal axial plan that connects the parking court to the house. Once inside, guests enter the more public and formal areas of the house.
The strict, straight lines become less formal and turn curvy as they move farther out from the house and wrap around the private areas, like the bedroom wing to the left and the outdoor rooms around it.
by Dan Nelson, Designs Northwest Architects
The strict, straight lines become less formal and turn curvy as they move farther out from the house and wrap around the private areas, like the bedroom wing to the left and the outdoor rooms around it.
"The concept for the home's design was to make it seem like the house had evolved over the years," Nelson says. "We used different materials to express different parts of the house." The more formal public spaces (green in the floor plan) look like they are the original house; they're covered in cedar shingles and topped by a metal roof with a cupola.
Nelson covered the private bedroom wing (marked in blue) and the garage (pink) in gray board and batten siding and shingled roofs to make them appear as though they were later additions. Lankford advanced the concept with corresponding materials and styles in the garden.
by Dan Nelson, Designs Northwest Architects
Nelson covered the private bedroom wing (marked in blue) and the garage (pink) in gray board and batten siding and shingled roofs to make them appear as though they were later additions. Lankford advanced the concept with corresponding materials and styles in the garden.
The landscape palette also complements the exterior facade's elements; medium gray gravel is hemmed in by lighter stone edges. Montana ledgestone column bases relate to the stone walls in the landscape; trellises, fences and screenwork are crafted of cedar.
by Dan Nelson, Designs Northwest Architects
Part of the cross axis in the entry garden is this concrete fountain, which also ties in the property's history. The fountain functioned as a cow trough in its former life.
by Dan Nelson, Designs Northwest Architects
The straight lines become curvy as they move out from the house.
by Lankford Associates Landscape Architects
Farther away from the house, wandering paths become even more casual, articulated with flagstone. The patio is accessible from the kitchen's breakfast room, toward the left side of this picture.
by Dan Nelson, Designs Northwest Architects
Lankford used a series of paths, stone walls and trellises to manipulate sight lines throughout the garden. For instance, this trellis draws the eye to the next set of gardens and to the milk barn beyond.
Continuing toward the milk barn, we see how the siting of the garage, the path and the next trellis direct the eye to the milk barn's large doors.
by Lankford Associates Landscape Architects
Continuing toward the milk barn, we see how the siting of the garage, the path and the next trellis direct the eye to the milk barn's large doors.
"The wife is a great gardener, and saving some of the trees from the existing homestead site was very important to the clients," Lankford says. One of the trees the team planned around is this 60-year-old cherry tree, which served as a centerpiece to site the house and courtyard around. "It really anchors the property," Nelson says. Beyond it is the largest outdoor room, a patio off the kitchen.
by Lankford Associates Landscape Architects
Another big influence on the site planning was the valley's strong southwestern winds. This breezeway not only connects the main house to the garage but also strategically protects the outdoor room.
The breezeway has an 8-foot-long sliding door that opens up the view of endless fields on calm mornings, then closes to shelter the patio when the winds kick up in the afternoon. The glass roof's structure mimics the rhythm of the home's metal roof but keeps the view open to the sky.
by Dan Nelson, Designs Northwest Architects
The breezeway has an 8-foot-long sliding door that opens up the view of endless fields on calm mornings, then closes to shelter the patio when the winds kick up in the afternoon. The glass roof's structure mimics the rhythm of the home's metal roof but keeps the view open to the sky.
The breezeway's form forges a strong architectural connection between the house and the garage, giving the garage the look of a wing that was added on to the home over time.
by Lankford Associates Landscape Architects
"Family is very important to this couple, and they have a large extended family living nearby; this large outdoor room was very important to them for family gatherings," Nelson says. The patio was also put to good use during The Skagit Valley Symphony Garden Tour.
There is also a children's play patio for the couples' many grandchildren to enjoy.
by Lankford Associates Landscape Architects
There is also a children's play patio for the couples' many grandchildren to enjoy.
Just beyond the living room's stone fireplace and French doors is another stone patio that captures the same comfortable feeling outdoors as the room inside. The chimney's Montana ledgestone relates to the stone used throughout the landscape.
Lankstone's planting plan includes perennials, trees and shrubs that provide color and fragrance throughout all four seasons. He chose plants that will not block the sight lines as they mature.
by Dan Nelson, Designs Northwest Architects
Lankstone's planting plan includes perennials, trees and shrubs that provide color and fragrance throughout all four seasons. He chose plants that will not block the sight lines as they mature.
The upstairs loft gives access to the balcony seen in the previous picture. The loft is a play area for the kids and a quilting room for the wife.
by Dan Nelson, Designs Northwest Architects
Around the private bedroom wing, a less formal gravel pathway winds through the landscape.
by Dan Nelson, Designs Northwest Architects
Nelson added a cupola at the top of the house. This vernacular agricultural element lets in loads of natural light.
by Dan Nelson, Designs Northwest Architects
"This was a subtle, organic design. The house is livable and comfortable; it's not a 'statement house,'" Nelson says.
"This was a garden that was truly inspired by the architecture; it was a very nice collaboration," Lankford says.
by Dan Nelson, Designs Northwest Architects
"This was a garden that was truly inspired by the architecture; it was a very nice collaboration," Lankford says.
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Thank you for posting your comment about the Smiths new home. It is gratifying to know that you feel that we have been able to capture the beauty and character of that wonderful corner of the world. Your ancestors created a place that was very special for us to build upon.
Take Care,
Dan
The milk barn is now used as a play house for the extended Smith family.
As I mentioned before, your parents created a very special place for us to integrate into our design work !
Here is another image of the barn being used for a party put on for the Skagit Valley Symphony..
Thanks so much for your wonderful comment.
Dan