The Lake Washington Residence was a quaint cottage that Johnston Architects’ clients wanted to expand and remodel, preserving its welcoming ambiance and casual beach feel while creating more room and brighter, contemporary spaces. The solution was a thoughtful addition, providing 400 more square feet on the ground level and adding a 1,000 square foot second floor, enveloping the entire home in a new dual-layered exterior. The inner shell of this structure is composed of cedar and glass and promotes warmth and transparency, while the outer shell of weather-resistant steel offers secure protection against the damp lakeside climate. 

Inside the Lake Washington Residence, the Johnston Architects team created a sanctuary of tranquility and light, with indoor and outdoor spaces blending seamlessly. Large glass sliding walls and windows throughout the house showcase stunning Pacific Northwest scenery. Interior materials and colors mirror Lake Washington’s ever-changing waters, with a pale slatted ceiling in the living room and kitchen proving a soft contrast to the dark wood flooring. A sleek limestone fireplace serves as a backdrop to the steel rods of the stair rail. Throughout the house, the use of transparent and translucent glass plays with sunlight on the water, creating a bright environment that feels both expansive and intimate. 

Completed in 2007, the Lake Washington Residence has stood the test of time, exemplifying JA’s commitment to creating spaces that remain timeless and beautiful.