Vandeventer + Carlander Architects

Mad Park Residence

Mad Park Residence
© Ben Benschneider

MAD PARK RESIDENCE

Vandeventer + Carlander Architects

ARCHITECTS
Vandeventer + Carlander Architects, Samuel Williamson Associates

CATEGORY
Residential Architecture

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Swenson Say Faget

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
Samuel Williamson Associates

LIGHTING
DePelecyn Studio light & shadow

LOCATION
Seattle, WA, USA

ENERGY CONSULTANT
Ecotope

PHOTOGRAPHS
Ben Benschneider

Text description provided by architect.

The site for this home is a steep slope corner lot in a prestigious neighborhood. Existing site conditions include neighbors to the west and north, a busy arterial below, and a residential street to the east.

Mad Park Residence
© Ben Benschneider
Mad Park Residence
© Ben Benschneider

Though the existing residence was demolished, the previous daylight basement level and existing retaining walls established the datum for the new house.

The program required accommodating a family of six while serving as a platform for entertaining and displaying a growing collection of contemporary art.

This dual need of accommodating family and art led to the concept of "served" and "service" zones as the organizational tool for the home's design. Zoning of functions also permit art and children to live side by side, to be enriched by each other.

The home is comprised of four distinct elements: a glass enclosed main floor living area, a wood wrapped upper bedroom level, a steel sheathed "service" volume to the rear, and a cantilevered, stucco clad office. Fundamental to the concept of the house is a linear, light filled gallery that extends the length of the house.

Mad Park Residence
© Ben Benschneider
Mad Park Residence
© Ben Benschneider

This space separates the "served" from "service" functions on all floors, both in plan and section.

The glass enclosed living area is developed as an open, loft space. Containing traditional entry, living, dining, and family room functions, this space open to patios and gardens on three fully glazed sides. The living area appears as a "void" juxtaposed against the mass of the other volumes.

Mad Park Residence
© Ben Benschneider
Mad Park Residence
© Ben Benschneider

Private, bedroom areas are defined by the Alaskan Yellow Cedar clad volume above the living area.

Three glass bridges, crossing through the linear gallery, give access to the five bedrooms. The bridges and upper hallway provide multiple views of art displayed in the gallery space.

The "service" volume is a two-story enclosure housing the every-day needs of the family: specifically kitchen, mud room, bathrooms, closets, stair, and laundry.

Wrapped in rusting steel sheets, the solid nature of the enclosure creates the backdrop to the open nature of the public areas.

Mad Park Residence
© Ben Benschneider
Mad Park Residence
© Ben Benschneider

The final element, the cantilevered office serves as a sculptural counterpoint to an otherwise rational plan.


Mad Park Residence
diagram


Mad Park Residence
east elevation
Mad Park Residence
west elevation
Mad Park Residence
south elevation
Mad Park Residence
north elevation


Mad Park Residence
main floor plan
Mad Park Residence
lower floor plan
Mad Park Residence
upper floor plan
Mad Park Residence
site plan

Vandeventer + Carlander Architects
T +1 206 3238770
Vandeventer + Carlander Architects
2956 Eastlake Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102, United States