Whidbey Uparati sits in Island County, WA, United States, as a house by Wittman Estes. The family retreat is designed for uparati—stillness—set lightly above a meadow. It folds a courtyard plan, cedar cladding, and wide glazing into a quiet, high-point perch with views to Useless Bay and the Olympic Mountains, aiming for connection to land and shared rituals.
Lake Cle Elum anchors a crisp, modern house in Roslyn, WA, United States, where evergreens meet open water. Designed by sticklab, the residence occupies a small bench on a steep slope above the lake, paired with an 800-square-foot detached garage. The project steers toward clarity and durability, aligning large panes and low eaves with mountain weather and long views without losing the quiet feeling of a retreat.
North South House sits on a ridge in San Juan County, WA, United States, with Allied8 behind the 1,300 SF cabin’s measured footprint and lift. The house is a compact retreat for three generations, shaped by north–south outlooks and a precise structural strategy. Its long gable holds living and sleeping rooms that open to forest light, while a steel moment frame touches the land at only six points.
Miller Hull Partnership has designed Matt’s Place 2.0 in Spokane, WA, United States, a house that “pushes the boundaries of accessible design” for those with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The prefabricated mass timber prototype has a main-floor suite and incorporates home control systems that can be operated solely by the occupant’s eye movements. It is part of a partnership between Miller Hull and the Matt’s Place Foundation, devoted to dignity for ALS sufferers.
Miller Hull Partnership designed Trestle Cabin as a prototype for developing low-impact cabins on challenging and remote sites. Located in San Juan County, WA, the house hovers above the ground on a steel exoskeleton that provides nautical views while avoiding excavation and the disruption of the surrounding flora and fauna. The design employs a strategy of long-term adaptability, featuring a modest footprint and an independent armature that accommodates reconfigurations over time.
The Academy Highlands House is a restful haven nestled on a serene rise in Bellingham, WA, designed by Risa Boyer Architecture. This extraordinary house showcases a blend of natural materials and minimal furnishings to create a space where comfort and creativity harmonize. Striking a balance between contemporary architecture and its verdant surroundings, the property captures sweeping vistas of Whatcom Lake while offering residents plenty of space to unwind and relax.
Set on 20 acres of a working ranch in Winthrop, WA, the Wandling Road abode reinterprets the balance of sophisticated design and practical function. Designed by Prentiss + Balance + Wickline Architects in 2021, this residence offers striking vistas of expansive mountains, lively hills adorned with wildflowers, and grazing livestock. Its layout features two metallic-clad volumes supporting a variety of distinct living areas, tied together by a welcoming entrance and utility room.
Nestled in Seattle, Washington, the Ballard Passive House serves as a prime example showcasing forward-thinking design and eco-friendliness. Brought to fruition in the summer of 2019 by First Lamp Architects, this abode epitomizes the standards established by the Passive House Institute. Its architectural design marries state-of-the-art technology with painstaking construction techniques, resulting in a residence that is both energy-savvy and inviting.