Prentiss Balance Wickline Architects: To arrive at the Bramblewood House, a gravel road first takes you through a densely wooded forest of old growth fir and cedar; the topography of the site is variegated and steeply sloped, with areas of visible bedrock among clearings in the trees. The house, nestled into the hillside and literally anchored to the rock, is situated behind a grassy knoll and peeks out at you as you approach.
The clients desired a single-story home that would be a quiet retreat for bird watching and taking in views of the Puget Sound; consequently, the siting of the house was an important consideration from both an ecological and an architectural standpoint. Built into the slope, the house takes on an unassuming character and blends into its surroundings on the uphill side, while a feeling of loftiness pervades the downhill side. During the construction process, substantial measures were taken to minimize site disturbance as much as possible; instead of clearing a large swath of the landscape to expand the waterfront view, the approach was to keep most of the trees intact to retain the natural, wooded environment.
Even though the forested character of the site provides a certain level of seclusion, the lot itself is relatively narrow with neighbors on both sides. The plan layout addresses this by positioning the bedroom suites at either end of the building, with strategically placed windows maintaining targeted views. The main living space is tucked between these two ends and can feature generous openings on opposite sides without sacrificing privacy. Large sliding glass doors and clerestory windows allow the main space to be suffused with light and shadow, which changes constantly throughout the day. While on the western side of the house, an intimate entry courtyard is sheltered from the wind by the knoll, the eastern side opens to filtered views of the water from a deck perched among the tree canopy.
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