In Lake House 2 one of my favorite experiences is looking out from behind the kitchen island. The kitchen is always the heart of the home, and here it is the axis about which all the living areas revolve. To the right, looking through the tracery of steel beams and columns, sits the living and dining area, surrounded by windows. From the dining area the view is extended outside to a small courtyard that provides a shady place to sit in summer and just beyond, trees screen the lake’s edge. Across the waters of the lake, the city stands – surrounded by low green hills with a backdrop of white mountains.

Shifting your gaze to the left, follow the blue line of the lake as it leads back from the city to the living areas of the home and is briefly interrupted by the stone fireplace that stands as a monument to the mason’s craft – a bluestone laid up so fine it looks to my eye like corduroy. Still following the lake to the left you are led outside to the terrace. On the terrace there is a fire ring surrounded by chairs, a dining table, and covered barbeque counter that in fine weather is busy with friends and family. Four large trees are placed around the terrace, shading it in summer, their trunks recalling the steel frame of the home. The trees also frame the view to the lake, and beyond the green shoreline. In the evening the eye is drawn out further as the distant lights of jets rise up from the airport.

I like to see the strong horizontal lines of the home follow the line of the lake. The repetition of steel beams, pattern of wood on the ceiling, horizontal lay of the stone, and long linear planting beds of the terrace all resonate with the horizon of blue water. I find this view so satisfying because you can see the home transform itself as it moves along the shoreline from a home held in the surrounding landscape, to a landscape held within the arms of the home.

There is a huge sense of accomplishment at the completion of a home but I also feel a sense of loss. A home, this child of our imagination that we have worked on for 3 to 4 years, is given up to the owners and we rarely see it again. I am filled with a great curiosity to see it in all its moods throughout the seasons. I can imagine it in winter, again from my favorite place in the kitchen, watching the snow gently fill the bare, cold table and chairs on the terrace and beyond the steel gray of the lake. While to my right, the glow of a warming fire is reflected in the faces of friends on the couch. Beyond, a table is set, lit by candles. A home is made for these moments of deep pleasure, connecting you to your small place on the earth and to the larger space of your affections.

Every home is the creation of a new life, a new way of seeing and engaging the world. This is one instance of how a home comes to life – gradually unfolding a rich field of experience that we come to know through the passing of seasons and rituals of family.

Our strength is our ability to offer complete design services, including master planning, project development, site design, landscape design, architectural services, interior design and lighting design.

The success of our projects comes from the personal collaboration forged between the owner, architect and builder. It is this personal dedication that is the core of our work.

People

Regan McClellan, AIA

Regan McClellan founded McClellan Architects in 1997. He has over 20 years of experience in a wide variety of building types and technologies. An experienced and organized manager, Regan is equally adept at overseeing large commercial projects as well as the unique demands of single family homes. Early in his design career, Regan worked extensively with Michael Van Valkenburgh, a nationally recognized landscape architect. He has drawn on this experience throughout his career, creating a dialogue between his buildings and their surroundings.

Education

• Harvard University, Master of Architecture, 1990
• University of Washington, Bachelor of Arts, 1983

Professional Affiliation

• American Institute of Architects
• National Council of Architectural Registration Boards

Registration

• State of Washington
• State of Idaho

Katie Hoke

Katie Hoke joined McClellan Architects in 2007. Her professional portfolio consists of high end commercial interiors, retail design, and custom residences. Katie is also an avid equestrian riding for over 20 years. She is currently competing with her horse at third level in the local dressage shows. Katie’s professional experience combined with her knowledge of horses provides her with the expertise needed to plan and design safe yet beautiful equestrian facilities.

Education

• Kansas State University, Bachelors of Interior Architecture, 2003

Jiro Ono, 85, and his Apprentice: son Yoshikazu, 51

I just watched a fascinating documentary about 85-year-old Jiro Ono, a sushi chef in Tokyo, called “Jiro dreams of Sushi”.  It is about an obsessed sushi bar owner whose whole life is his work.  He considers each aspect of the sushi, from the provenance and handling of the ingredients through the timing and order of presentation.  The film is not only a tribute to a master of his craft, but a meditation on dedication to your work and an unflagging desire to always be better. 

Tuna Specialist, Tsukiji Fish Market

I think there are good parallels to our practice of architecture, and our every day work here in the office.  One of the most interesting things to me was how Jiro was supported by a cadre of superb craftsman and suppliers that enable him to provide such high quality to his clients.  In the same way, we depend upon a group of craftsman and suppliers in our work: masons, tile setters, wood workers, general contractors, etc.

Lumberpersons, Northwest Select Lumber

Here’s an example:  his name is Jonathan Purvis, and he owns Northwest Select which harvests and mills “dead and down” cedar.  It is a sustainable, eco-forestry operation.  John is quite a character and he really knows his wood.  The cedar is primarily from the Idaho mountains and has the most beautiful grain structure.  The grain is very fine “pencil grain” which is a very different character than the typical 2nd or 3rd growth cedar.  There are also beautiful variations in the color of the boards – as the cedar dies and starts to dry out the sap is pushed out from the center.  You can see this as a dark wave in the wood on some of the boards.  Currently we are working on a home where Jonathan is providing 18” wide planks that are 14 feet long.  This is very hard to find in conventional lumber because the trees are much smaller.  The last batch of lumber he brought in was estimated to be 1,000 years old by counting the rings.  There is deep satisfaction in being to be able to obtain such beautiful wood sustainably. 

“Pencil Grain” cedar compared to second- or third-growth.

In my view, every material has a particular feel and energy.  Every surface, every space can be improved by the right material, chosen with care and built with craft.  It is just this kind of beautiful material, and the care in its selection and use that contributes to the deep feeling of quality in our homes.

Natural materials used in some of our projects

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At McClellan Architects, many of the homes that we design are located on waterfront properties.  These waterfront sites come with their own unique challenges and opportunities.  Creating a connection to the water is the most important feature of the homes we have designed.  That connection manifests itself in two important ways – maximizing the views and creating a series of places and spaces that support the waterfront lifestyle.  The view of the water is the most important aspect of the property so the design should take advantage of every lineal foot of shoreline.  Our practice of waterfront architecture utilizes several techniques to create a home where you can “live in the view”.

• Maximize the number of spaces that take advantage of the view.  We place as many areas of the home as possible in the “Front Row” with the best access to the view.  Behind these primary spaces are the utility areas such as closets, stairs, pantries, etc. Dining rooms usually don’t need to be in the front, and if placed behind open living areas then can “borrow” the view through them.  A bonus is having a dramatic view of the water when you first arrive at the entry.  This is a great way to introduce the drama of the site.

• Stagger the interior spaces to expose corner windows.  At waterfront sites on which we have worked, there are usually not only great views immediately out front of the property, but also to the left and right.  By creating corner windows in each space we can capture the breadth of the view.  Psychologically this seems to push the space out in the view where you feel part of the waterfront.

• Control of light and heat from low sun and reflected glare off the water.  We normally specify glass with heat reflectivity and low –e specification.  Blinds that cut the light but still allow for view are also necessary for glass areas that face the water.
• Create a second set of year-round living spaces outside that are intimately connected to the inside of the house.  In fine weather, especially in our region, you want to be able to be outside and enjoy the sun.  Typically we design an outdoor room that includes a barbecue or kitchen, dining area, and living area.  By adding infrared heaters in discreet locations, and a fireplace or gas fire ring you can extend the season for being outdoors.  Our carefully-designed outdoor rooms allow our clients to really “live in the view”.  In the winter, these spaces are still beautiful by framing the view with a more structured landscape.  These spaces virtually extend the feeling of the interior space by reaching out into the landscape with decks, structured landscape elements and protective roof areas.

• Provide support for water activities.  A dock extending from the shore not only establishes a safe place for watercraft but also a place to swim or sunbathe that is intimately connected to the water.  Depending upon the shoreline, a small cove for children to access the water can be very handy.  We make child coves very shallow and sometimes import sand or fine gravel to create a welcoming and fun play beach.  We also believe it is important to consider storage space for all the furniture and water equipment/toys that will need to be put away for the winter.

 Properly designed waterfront architecture begins with the site, enlarging the home with outdoor rooms, water views, and water activities.  Inspired waterfront home design considers the unique beauties of the site at every time of day and in every season.

Properly designed, waterfront homes are some of the most memorable and beautiful architectural designs, particularly in the water-filled landscapes of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.  In this short two-part article I’ll outline our approach to waterfront architecture.  In Part One, I’ll discuss some of the most common challenges presented by waterfront sites – if you haven’t yet selected your site keep these in mind as you search for the perfect waterfront property.  In Part Two, I’ll discuss the techniques we use to maximize the livability and beauty of your waterfront home. The challenges of waterfront sites are as varied and as unique as the sites themselves.  These are some of the most commonly encountered:

• Shoreline regulations.  Governing regulations are getting more conservative regarding shorelines.  If you are close to working on a waterfront project, check with your local jurisdiction about upcoming changes to any shoreline regulations: this may have an affect on your schedule.  There have been a few instances where we have accelerated our work to stay under a deadline that would allow us to submit the project under older and more permissive regulations.  Newer regulations seem to be focused on interventions at the water’s edge such as bulkheads and docks.  Also, shoreline plantings are starting to be prescribed that create a more natural shoreline vegetation.  I believe that generally these are positive steps that seek to maintain the health of the water body and promote an environment conducive for aquatic life.

• Soils:  As in any building site, it pays to do your homework on soil type.  Soil type dictates both bearing capacity and permeability.   If there are poor soils, it could mean tens of thousands in additional foundation costs.  Permeability is how well the soil drains.  This affects stormwater runoff from the site and, for more remote locations, the size and expense of septic systems.  This is one of the most important considerations when buying any land, and particularly waterfront property for residential architecture.

• Gound water: it is a rare water front site that doesn’t have some sort of ground water issue.  The standing level of ground water can be at lake level or higher – be careful when planning basements that the basement floor is not below the water level of the site.  Failure to design appropriately can result in very expensive waterproofing and control.  Also, water bodies are collectors for the surrounding stormwater that falls on land.  It is common to discover underground springs during excavation.  Proper waterproofing and drainage control around foundations can usually control underground water in a cost effective manner.

• Docks, bulkheads, etc.: Constructed elements on the water can be very challenging from a building permit perspective.  Obtaining permits to construct docks and bulkheads can be a very lengthy process – usually longer than it takes to permit the home.  The reason is that there are usually multiple jurisdictions that review these waterward interventions.  For example, in Seattle you will deal with the city, Corps of Engineers and the state department of Fish and Wildlife.  It is important to take the time factor into account when your are planning your project.

Proper planning, and inspired design that focuses on the connection of your life to the water are the keys to a successful waterfront home.  In the next installment we’ll talk specifically about how design can make that connection.