Nestled on the shores of Lake Washington, Pattern House by renowned Olson Kundig architects represents a bold reimagining of modern lakeside living in the heart of Seattle. This 3,800-square-foot residence, designed for a young family, demonstrates how thoughtful architectural design can maximize space on a narrow urban lot while creating seamless connections between the home, water, and surrounding landscape.
From the street view, the home presents a modest appearance with its wood-clad structure and complementary concrete volume housing the garage and workshop. However, this restrained exterior conceals a dramatic architectural surprise. An Ice Blue front door, specifically chosen to match the clients' beloved Mini Cooper, opens to reveal a stunning double-height entry space bathed in natural light and perfectly oriented toward breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Washington.
"Pattern House was a fascinating design opportunity because it's a city house that's also beside a lake," explains design principal Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA. "The challenge was to transition from the energy and the organized grid of the city to the serenity and openness of the lake in a relatively brief moment." This transition becomes the defining characteristic of the entire architectural experience.
The interior design reflects the family's sophisticated preference for an industrial yet inviting aesthetic. Rich material choices include recycled oak flooring, leather stair treads, Kebony siding, and a striking stone-slab bathroom that brings natural texture throughout the space. Darker wood elements and steel accents introduce dramatic contrast, while a sculptural folded-steel staircase with integrated leather details serves as both a functional element and a stunning visual centerpiece, drawing the eye upward toward the private bedroom wing.
In the heart of the home, the kitchen features a trio of bold red pendant lights that inject a playful burst of color into an otherwise moody palette dominated by black, white, and natural tones. Custom casework in the living area showcases brightly painted wood molds from the family's manufacturing business, treated as works of art that reinforce the personal connection between the architecture and its inhabitants.
"Like all city houses, Pattern House works to encompass the contemporary lifestyle needs of the clients within a small property that has historically been quite constrained," adds Kundig. "Here, the clients' priority was to be outside as much as possible, so the home opens up to that landscape and creates a very big living space, despite the actual site boundaries being limited."
The upper level maximizes its elevated vantage point with spectacular results. A cantilevered corner window in the primary suite frames sweeping 270-degree views that stretch from Lake Washington across to Mercer Island, with the majestic Mount Rainier visible in the distance. Edward Lalonde, Design Principal at Olson Kundig, notes the careful consideration given to the home's positioning: "When Tom and I first met with the clients, we noted the siting of the existing mid-century house on the relatively narrow lot. For Pattern House, we wanted to reference that enclosed courtyard approach, but scaled for an urban site – allowing filtered daylight to wash through the entry."
Perhaps the most defining feature of Pattern House is its extraordinary relationship to the outdoors. Expansive pivot and telescoping glass doors completely dissolve the boundary between interior living areas and the waterfront landscape, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor living experience. A large deck equipped with an outdoor kitchen, custom BBQ station, and dining area supports both intimate family gatherings and larger entertaining occasions, while a gently sloping grassy lawn leads down to a carefully restored natural shoreline. An outdoor shower provides the perfect spot for rinsing off after spending time in the water.
The commitment to environmental restoration represents a key aspect of the project's vision. Lalonde emphasizes this important element: "The original home on the site sat above the lake on a concrete and asphalt porch over a traditional rock bulkhead. Our clients wanted to restore the natural shoreline condition and reintroduce native plantings to feel more connected to the landscape and create a beach for their young children to play in the water."
The exterior environment receives further enhancement through thoughtful landscaping that includes native vegetation, a small garden inset, a green roof over the garage, and a mature ginkgo tree that serves as a natural anchor for the entire property. These elements work together to create a harmonious blend of architecture and nature that defines the Pattern House experience.
Photography for the project was provided by Aaron Leitz, capturing the home's dramatic interplay between industrial materials and natural settings. The project stands as a testament to Olson Kundig's ability to create architecture that responds sensitively to both urban constraints and natural beauty, offering a new model for contemporary lakeside living in metropolitan settings.
