An architects own home hidden in the forest sits quietly in the small beachside town of Indianola, Washington, where architecture and landscape are closely intertwined. Designed by GO’C co-founder Jon Gentry for his family, The Rambler reflects a deeply personal exploration of living within nature while maintaining the warmth and practicality of a family home. Surrounded by dense trees yet situated within a close-knit neighbourhood, the house balances openness with intimacy, allowing daily life to unfold alongside the rhythms of the forest.
Located just north-west of Seattle, the site carries personal significance for the family. Lydia, John’s wife, grew up only a few blocks away, grounding the project within a familiar community while offering the opportunity to create something entirely new. In this context, an architects own home hidden in the forest becomes both retreat and gathering place, embracing the surrounding landscape while remaining connected to the life of the town and its quiet coastal character.
The Rambler reinterprets the familiar one-storey American house typology. While traditional ramblers often feature a central hallway with rooms on either side, this design introduces a strong north-south axis that draws landscape directly through the entry. Upon arrival, the threshold blurs between indoors and outdoors, where a large casement window functions as a door, bringing light, greenery and fresh air into the home.
At the centre sits a generous living, dining and kitchen space designed from the inside out. Music plays an important role in the household, and Lydia’s instruments are integrated into the main living area rather than placed in a separate studio. A Rumford-style masonry fireplace anchors the room, framed by a concrete surround that reinforces the home’s central gathering point. Here, an architects own home hidden in the forest reveals its most personal dimension – a home shaped around everyday rituals, creativity and shared moments.
The layout continues along an east-west axis, dividing the home into two distinct zones. To the west, the more active communal spaces support gathering, cooking and music. To the east, quieter rooms including bedrooms, bathrooms and a home office provide privacy and retreat, allowing the house to support both lively family interaction and moments of calm.
Outdoor elements extend the experience of the home beyond its walls. Screen walls form a semi-enclosed exterior room that filters light and provides privacy while housing an outdoor shower. Nearby, a small ‘whiskey shed’ extends subtly from beneath the roofline, reinforcing the relaxed character of an architects own home hidden in the forest.
Material contrasts emphasise the relationship between exterior texture and interior calm. Brick defines the outside, while smooth plaster and lime-painted walls soften the interior. Built with the help of more than thirty local makers, an architects own home hidden in the forest reflects a collaborative process rooted in craft, community and family life.
00:00 – Introduction to the Architects Own Home
00:29 – The Architect
01:13 – Walkthrough of the Home
03:06 – Why the Home is Special
04:00 – Architects Own Home in the Forest
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Photography by Kevin Scott.
Architecture and interior design by GO’C.
Build by Sparrow Woodworks.
Filmed and edited by The Local Production.
Production by The Local Production.
Location: Indianola, Washington, United States
#ArchitectsOwnHome #Forest #HouseTour
