Dezeen Magazine

Junsei House Suyama Peterson Deguchi

Seattle waterfront home enjoys carefully chosen views through lush vegetation

Water views from this long narrow home in West Seattle by Suyama Peterson Deguchi are strategically framed using existing trees on site.

Junsei House - which roughly translates from Japanese as "purity" – was built for clients seeking to simplify their lifestyle and live in a minimalist home.

Entry and Living - Junsei House Suyama Peterson Deguchi

"Simple, efficient and quiet in design, the house is a reaction to today's technology and offers a refuge in an ever changing, chaotic world," said the architects.

To avoid disturbing the lush site along the Puget Sound, the studio designed a home which measures only 18 feet by 80 feet (5.5 metres by 24 metres).

Dining and Kitchen - Junsei House Suyama Peterson Deguchi

"All of the trees were left in place, and excess excavation was limited to protect tree roots," said the firm.

"Instead of the typical design solutions with unobstructed views to the water, a central tree becomes dominant, and accentuates views and vistas by blocking some while slowly unveiling others."

Kitchen and shelving - Junsei House Suyama Peterson Deguchi

The residence is accessed via a wooden walkway that leads to the home's middle level. A protected outdoor space is created here by the roof's double-height, gabled outline.

The master bedroom is located right at the entrance of the home, adjacent to a central staircase with open treads. Further along the corridor, the architects laid out the kitchen, which is open to the double-height living space.

Staircase - Junsei House Suyama Peterson Deguchi

Lined in weathered plywood panels, the living room is flooded with light entering from floor-to ceiling windows on the western facade. An opening leads to an exterior terrace from which residents can catch glimpses of the water.

The home's upper level is only partial, and contains a loft space that serves as a small office.

View of loft with armchair Junsei House by Suyama Peterson Deguchi

"The relatively open floor plan and flexibility of spaces lends itself to a variety of uses, causing the resident to reevaluate how they live," said the architects.

Below, the architects included utilitarian spaces, as well as a parking space fit under the home's pilotis structure.

bathroom - Junsei House Suyama Peterson Deguchi

The design of the home was informed by traditional building styles, as evidenced by the gabled roof form. "Producing little visual noise, the house is composed of a simple vernacular shape in which all programmatic elements were distilled down to their fundamental requirements".

The home's exterior cladding consists of corrugated sheet metal, which was chosen for its low cost and simple aesthetics. This complements the home's interior, where wood is predominant.

Desk overlooking entry - Junsei House Suyama Peterson Deguchi

Other single-family homes in Seattle include a home with a double-height artist's studio in a dense urban area as well as a home that floats on the shores of Lake Union, and in which the residents can go for a swim directly from their water-level bedroom.

Photography is by Charlie Schuck.


Project credits:

Architects: Suyama Peterson Deguchi
Design principal: George Suyama
Project architect: Jeff King
General contractor: Pete Crocker, Crocker Construction Company
Structural engineer: Gary Mackenzie, Swenson Say Faget
Geotechnical engineer: Raymond Coglas, Earth Solutions NW

More images and plans

Lower level plan Junsei House by Suyama Peterson Deguchi
Ground and loft level plans Junsei House by Suyama Peterson Deguchi
Section plan Junsei House by Suyama Peterson Deguchi
Elevation Drawing Junsei House by Suyama Peterson Deguchi
Exterior steel cladding Junsei House by Suyama Peterson Deguchi
Metal work detail Junsei House by Suyama Peterson Deguchi
Staircase 2 Junsei House by Suyama Peterson Deguchi
Living room Junsei House by Suyama Peterson Deguchi
Arm chair Junsei House by Suyama Peterson Deguchi
Shelving unit Junsei House by Suyama Peterson Deguchi
Kitchen and dining Junsei House by Suyama Peterson Deguchi
Table top with items Junsei House by Suyama Peterson Deguchi
bedroom Junsei House by Suyama Peterson Deguchi
Window detail Junsei House by Suyama Peterson Deguchi
Surrounding View Junsei House by Suyama Peterson Deguchi