The Orcas Island Residence is a simple, shed-roof structure constructed around eight pre-fabricated steel frames and based on a 16-foot grid. The floor plane lightly touches the ground at the north elevation, adjacent the master bedroom, and gains elevation as the hillside slopes away. The common areas, at the south side of the structure, sit on steel columns and the space opens to a view of the Puget Sound and Mount Constitution beyond.  Below, the forest floor rolls underneath the stilted structure.

The envelope includes cement board rain-screen panels, corrugated metal, and a clear anodized aluminum window package. Clear-finished cedar screens slide to allow flexibility with daylight, shade, view, and privacy.

The project is featured in Grant Hildebrand’s book, Gordon Walker: A Poetic Architecture, set to publish in spring 2019.