Capitol Hill House
Rafael Soldi
Product Spec Sheet

ElementBrandProduct Name
SeatingB&B Italia
FaucetGROHE
Essence
FaucetHansgrohe SE
TubDuravit
RefrigeratorFisher & Paykel
Metal SidingAEP Span

Product Spec Sheet
Seating
Faucet
by GROHE
Faucet
Tub
by Duravit
Refrigerator
Metal Siding

An Urban Oasis in the heart of Seattle’s Capitol Hill

Shed Architecture & Design as Architects

7-Nov-2017 The homeowners were attracted to the 40’ x 120’ lot for its central location in Seattle’s East Capitol Hill neighborhood. They approached SHED Architecture & Design looking for an economical, efficient, low-maintenance, and modern version of a traditional Seattle house – one with primary living spaces on the main floor and three bedrooms above. Having come from a culture with a tradition of courtyard houses, creating comfortable outdoor spaces with free-flowing connections to the interior living areas was paramount.


The social family chef wanted the kitchen to occupy a central and commanding position in the house with easy access to the backyard patio. Large floor-to-ceiling sliding doors flank the east and west ends of the house, exposing an open-plan kitchen, dining and living space ideal for entertaining. The kitchen’s minimal palette of bamboo, fir, cork, and concrete allow the natural materials to take center stage without overpowering the functional details including a custom stainless steel pot rack. In order to achieve the desired aesthetic and budget-level, the designers selected cabinets from Ikea and created custom bamboo cabinet fronts and fir wraps with recessed pulls. The bamboo material was selected for and sets the tone for the rest of the house.


The house sits on a well-traveled arterial along a bus line and is flanked by two multi-unit buildings: to the south a rental house that extends the length of the property line with several windows along that façade; to the north, a triplex with a south-facing entry court encroaches upon the original plot by means of an easement. By limiting windows along the sides of the house and focusing the glazing towards the east and west, the home establishes a strong connection to its front and rear yards while protecting its occupants from the heavily used side-yards of the neighbors. A walled and elevated terrace extending from the sunken living room claims the front yard as occupiable space and shields the fully glazed living spaces from passersby. This terrace and the adjacent front entry are partially framed by white walls and ceilings that extend from the interior, welcoming and protecting visitors. Corrugated metal siding and concrete site walls were used where privacy was desired, while wood windows, doors, and siding were used at the sheltered open ends where people interact directly with the building’s exterior.


The home was also designed with the environment in mind. A low-maintenance high performance enclosure was achieved by using an effective combination of advanced framing (required 30% less lumber), triple-pane windows protected by aluminum plate ‘visors,’ and metal siding. Additionally, a south-facing light monitor with a motorized north-facing awning window creates a stack effect for ventilation while providing ample daylight. Inside, a high-efficiency boiler, indirect water storage tank and in-floor radiant heating provide heat controlled by Nest thermostats.


Natural light, open spaces and simple materials come together to create a private sanctuary for the homeowners to cook, entertain and recharge.


26-Sep-2014 Site A 40’ x 120‘ lot in in Seattle’s East Capitol Hill neighborhood that sits on a well-traveled tree lined arterial.


Program Our clients wanted an economical, efficient, low-maintenance housewithground floor living areas that extend out to comfortable outdoor spaces. The social family chef wanted the kitchen to occupy a central and commanding position in the house.Two kids rooms with a shared bath and a master suite on the upper floor and mechanical, storage, and media room in the basement round out the program.


Design By focusing areas of glazing and extending the ceiling and walls beyond the line of enclosure the house establishes a strong connection to its front and rear yards while shielding its occupants from multi-family buildings along the sideyards. A walled and elevated terrace extending from the sunken living room claims the front yard as occupiable space and shields the living spaces from traffic on the arterial below. Corrugated metal siding and concrete site walls were used where privacy was desired, while wood windows, doors, and siding were usedat the sheltered open ends where people interact directly with the building’s exterior.


Distinct Solutions A high performance enclosure is achieved by Advanced Framing (requires up to 30% less lumber) and an effective combination of insulation products and methods. Triple-pane windows protected by aluminum plate ‘visors’ and metal siding create a low-maintenance envelope. A south-facing light monitor with a motorized north-facing awning window creates a stack effect for ventilation while providing ample daylight. Heating is supplied by a high-efficiency boiler, indirect water storage tank, and in-floor radiant heating controlled by programmable (Nest) thermostats. With the exception of select decorative fixtures, LED lighting was used throughout the house.

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