Harrison Street Residence / Scott Allen Architecture

Architects: Scott Allen Architecture
Location: Issaquah, Washington, USA
Total Living Area: 4,589 s.f. = 426 sqm
Completion Date: October, 2011
General Contractor: Roberts Wygal, Kirkland, WA
Finish Carpentry: Cavanaugh Custom Homes, Snohomish, WA
Photographs: Aaron Leitz Photography

Located in Issaquah Highlands’ prestigious Harrison Street neighborhood, this two-level home features sophisticated design that naturally accommodates a casual Pacific Northwest lifestyle. The hillside setting offered the opportunity to place the main living spaces as well as the master suite on the upper level, which took full advantage of the site’s expansive views.

The covered entry, set well back from the street behind a garden and pond, creates a private, welcoming transition into the home. A large vaulted space, housing the living, dining and kitchen areas, forms the heart of this home. This space is warmed by the use of hardwood floors and naturally-finished wood beams, and is illuminated by natural light that flows through continuous clerestory windows along the north, west and south sides.

Several of the windows in this upper band of glass are equipped with motorized openers, which allows for natural cross-ventilation of the space during warm weather. A dramatic wood and steel open-tread staircase connects the upper and lower levels. The lower level features a multi-functional space that can be used for a wide variety of family activities and that opens to both a view-side deck and a south-facing sun terrace.

This entertainment area creates a natural place to gather with built-in seating, a fire pit and a waterfall fed from the pool above. The lower level also houses three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a bar and wine room. The garage is artfully hidden from view on the lower level. On both levels of the home the views and the connections to the outdoors are maximized, with the inside and outside spaces flowing freely from one to the other through the use of oversized windows and wall-to-wall bi-parting doors.

lower level plan

Extensive decks on both levels are built of hardwood decking and stainless steel railings for both aesthetic appeal and durability. Sustainable strategies for this home include natural cross-ventilation, a geothermally-sourced heating and cooling system, and double-thick panelized roof construction.