Seattle-based architect Tom Kundig, co-founder of Olson Kundig, has spent four decades treating residential architecture as a testing ground for bold experimentation and innovative design concepts. His upcoming book, "Tom Kundig: Complete Houses," published by Monacelli, brings together this lifelong architectural investigation into one comprehensive 600-page volume that documents 462 projects spanning nearly forty years of his career.
The extensive monograph captures the evolution of Kundig's distinctive architectural approach through detailed visual documentation and written analysis. While his projects span diverse international locations—from the forested archipelagos of the Pacific Northwest to Mexico's arid desert landscapes and Hawaii's volcanic terrain—they are unified by the architect's consistent exploration of fundamental design elements including space, light, materials, and scenic views.
Among Kundig's complete body of residential work, the book highlights thirty-eight carefully selected homes for in-depth examination and analysis. Twelve of these featured residences are newly completed projects being published for the first time. Each project presentation includes professional photography, hand-drawn architectural sketches, and detailed interviews between Kundig and editor Dung Ngo that explore his design influences, ranging from his Swiss cultural heritage to his formal architectural education at the University of Washington.
The conversations throughout the book reveal an architectural practice defined by intellectual curiosity and calculated risk-taking—qualities that have shaped Kundig's successful career at Olson Kundig, the prominent Seattle firm he co-leads alongside architect Jim Olson. His residential work demonstrates a particular fascination with movement and structural adaptability, frequently incorporating sophisticated mechanical systems such as large pivoting windows, sliding wall panels, and operable building facades that blur the traditional boundaries between interior enclosure and outdoor environment.
The book also emphasizes Kundig's deep sensitivity to craftsmanship and the tactile, physical presence of architectural structure in his designs. Notable projects featured include the Delta Shelter in Mazama, Washington (completed in 2005), the recently finished Maxon House and Studio in Carnation, Washington (2023), the Outpost in Bellevue, Idaho (2008), and The Pierre located in the San Juan Islands, Washington (2010).
"Tom Kundig: Complete Houses" represents the architect's fifth published monograph and stands as the most comprehensive documentation of his work to date. The publication offers readers a chronological overview of his entire residential practice—encompassing past achievements, current projects, and future directions—while revealing the consistent design threads that connect decades of architectural innovation.
The physical design of the monograph itself reflects the material integrity found in Kundig's built architectural works. The book is bound in vibrant cloth featuring an embossed architectural sketch on the cover and comes encased in a protective slipcase decorated with project photography, creating a tactile reading experience that mirrors the hands-on approach of the architect's design philosophy.
For Kundig, residential architecture serves dual purposes as both experimental laboratory and personal refuge. "Each home is a chance to test an idea, refine a detail, or take a risk," he reflects in the book. "This book is a moment of reflection in my practice, an attempt to capture something that is always in motion." This approach allows him to test and refine design concepts in residential settings before applying them to larger civic and cultural architectural projects.
