On the banks of Lake Washington, Pattern House by Olson Kundig reimagines what a modern lakeside retreat can be in the heart of Seattle. Designed for a young family, the 3,800-square-foot residence demonstrates how thoughtful architecture can expand the sense of space on a narrow city lot while strengthening connections to both the water and landscape.
From the street, the home reads as a modest wood-clad structure, complemented by a concrete volume that houses the garage and workshop. The restrained exterior conceals a dramatic reveal: an Ice Blue front door – chosen to match the client’s beloved Mini Cooper – ushers guests into a double-height entry bathed in natural light and oriented toward panoramic views of Lake Washington.
“Pattern House was a fascinating design opportunity because it’s a city house that’s also beside a lake,” explains design principal Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA. “The challenge was to transition from the energy and the organized grid of the city to the serenity and openness of the lake in a relatively brief moment.”
The interiors reflect the family’s preference for an industrial yet inviting aesthetic. Recycled oak flooring, leather stair treads, Kebony siding, and a striking stone-slab bathroom bring material richness, while darker wood and steel introduce contrast. A sculptural folded-steel staircase with integrated leather details doubles as both a functional element and a visual centerpiece, guiding the eye upward to the private bedroom wing.
In the kitchen, a trio of bold red pendant lights inject a playful burst of color into an otherwise moody palette of black, white, and natural tones. Custom casework in the living area featuring brightly painted wood molds from the family’s manufacturing business are treated like works of art, reinforcing the personal connection between the architecture and its inhabitants.
“Like all city houses, Pattern House works to encompass the contemporary lifestyle needs of the clients within a small property that has historically been quite constrained,” adds Kundig. “Here, the clients’ priority was to be outside as much as possible, so the home opens up to that landscape and creates a very big living space, despite the actual site boundaries being limited.”
The upper level makes the most of its vantage point. A cantilevered corner window in the primary suite frames sweeping 270-degree views, from Lake Washington across to Mercer Island, with Mount Rainier in the distance. Edward Lalonde, Design Principal at Olson Kundig, notes: “When Tom and I first met with the clients, we noted the siting of the existing mid-century house on the relatively narrow lot. For Pattern House, we wanted to reference that enclosed courtyard approach, but scaled for an urban site – allowing filtered daylight to wash through the entry.”
Perhaps the most defining feature of Pattern House is its relationship to the outdoors. Expansive pivot and telescoping glass doors dissolve the boundary between interior living areas and the waterfront landscape. A large deck with an outdoor kitchen, custom BBQ station, and dining area supports family gatherings and entertaining, while a grassy lawn slopes gently to a restored natural shoreline. There’s even an outdoor shower for rinsing off after time in the water.
Lalonde emphasizes the importance of ecological restoration: “The original home on the site sat above the lake on a concrete and asphalt porch over a traditional rock bulkhead. Our clients wanted to restore the natural shoreline condition and reintroduce native plantings to feel more connected to the landscape and create a beach for their young children to play in the water.”
The exterior environment is further enriched with native vegetation, a small garden inset, a green roof over the garage, and a mature ginkgo tree that anchors the property.
To learn more about Pattern House and Olson Kundig, please visit olsonkundig.com.
Photography by Aaron Leitz.
