The Coyle Residence in Quilcene, WA new property, Washington cottage, US architecture images

The Coyle Residence in Quilcene, WA

Contemporary Rural Real Estate, WA design by Prentiss + Balance + Wickline, USA

July 6, 2018

Architects: Prentiss + Balance + Wickline

Location: Quilcene, Washington, USA

The Coyle Residence

Photos by Alexander Canaria and Taylor Proctor

The Coyle Residence, Washington

Located on a long peninsula extending south into Hood Canal, this vacation house for a Seattle family draws inspiration from its site and the owner’s Danish roots. Using the clean, economical forms and materials of the classic Danish sommerhus as a starting point, the program is separated into three gabled structures whose composition carefully integrates with the site and maximizes its two distinct views.

The simple forms, clad in dark stained cedar, sit quietly in the landscape, straddling the transition between dense Douglas fir and a small meadow that falls abruptly to the water.

The clients desired a cabin retreat that would be comfortable for their whole outdoor-enthusiast family, as well as have some additional room for more guests.

What were the key challenges?
How to arrange the cabin forms in an interesting way was one of the more challenging aspects of the project. Additionally, the clients were on a budget that required careful planning.

What were the solutions?

Integrating the existing structure by moving and remodeling it helped reduce some of the cost. The angle of the cabins to one another was carefully decided to maximize views while still being aware of the additional burden it might place on the budget.

The clean, minimal finishes selected by the clients – and their hands-on approach that included staining the cedar siding – also helped bring the costs down.