Whidbey Artists' Retreat

Whidbey Artists' Retreat
© Steve Keating

WHIDBEY ARTISTS' RETREAT

Prentiss + Balance + Wickline Architects

LOCATION
Island County, United States

CATEGORY
Houses

YEAR
2016

AREA
4161 ft²

PHOTOGRAPHS
Steve Keating

MANUFACTURERS
AEP Span, Formica, Caesarstone, Fisher & Paykel, James Hardie, Jeld-Wen, KitchenAid, Kohler, Liebherr, Majestic, Vent-a-Hood, Crystalite, Escenium HAUS, Seven Wall, Zometek

Text description provided by architect.

Nestled into a second growth cedar forest on a 10 acre Whidbey Island parcel, this project consists of two artist’s studios, a house and a garage.

Whidbey Artists' Retreat
© Steve Keating
Whidbey Artists' Retreat
© Steve Keating

These buildings are carefully arrayed around the site’s high point, each focused outward toward a distinct view of the adjacent cedars, gullies and small meadow.

The buildings are expressed as industrial objects within the landscape, eschewing the idea of ‘blending’ with the surroundings and, instead, striving for a harmonious composition of elements in the forest - an arrangment encouraged by the adventurous aesthetic of the artist clients.

Whidbey Artists' Retreat
© Steve Keating
Whidbey Artists' Retreat
© Steve Keating

A neutral material palette of concrete, galvanized metal and polycarbonate is punctuated by moments of saturated color.

The warm spectrum of colors was chosen with the clients on-site to compliment the cool palette of the surrounding woods and other exterior materials.

Whidbey Artists' Retreat
© Steve Keating
Whidbey Artists' Retreat
© Steve Keating

Double sloped roofs cap simple rectangular volumes, creating dynamic forms that respond to topography and light.

Clerestories of polycarbonate panels fill the volume left by the elevated roof edge, admitting diffused light and obscuring the landscape into an artistic abstraction.

Whidbey Artists' Retreat
© Steve Keating
Whidbey Artists' Retreat
© Steve Keating

The double slope roof is applied uniformly to the primary spaces yet the orientation varies to enhance the program of the associated space.

Concrete floors, white walls and warm wood tones provide a quiet and light filled interior, with art and furniture providing splashes of color.

Whidbey Artists' Retreat
© Steve Keating
Whidbey Artists' Retreat
© Steve Keating

The entry is located at the intersection of two rectangular volumes, delineating the public and private spaces.

The studios mix fine detailing with an industrial aesthetic, as LVLs and pipe railings trace the edges of the lofted office space and exposed TJI’s sit on crisp, white walls.

Whidbey Artists' Retreat
© Steve Keating
Whidbey Artists' Retreat
© Steve Keating

Long gallery walls provide space to hang the work, while the double height space, polycarbonate clerestory and skylights create an expansive space filled with natural light.

Whidbey Artists' Retreat
© Steve Keating
Whidbey Artists' Retreat
© Steve Keating


Whidbey Artists' Retreat
Formal strategy diagram
Whidbey Artists' Retreat
Material selection diagram


Whidbey Artists' Retreat
Main house plan
Whidbey Artists' Retreat
Studio plans
Whidbey Artists' Retreat
Site plan - Strategy diagram