Winthrop, Washington, USA
“Second homes are about adventure, and they are the homes that leave the most indelible memories. The best way to do that is to make them unconventional,” states Tom Kundig.
Tom Kundig and designers at Olson Kundig have completed “Studhorse”–a new residence that responds to the client’s desire to experience and interact with the surrounding environment throughout all four seasons in the remote Methow Valley, in Washington.
Riffing on the tradition of circling wagons, the buildings–four small, unattached structures–are scattered around a central courtyard and pool.
The 20-acre site is nestled in the northern portion of the 60-mile-long glacial valley and the buildings are arranged to frame carefully composed views of the surrounding Studhorse Ridge Mountains and Pearrygin Lake.
Studhorse exemplifies the architect’s belief that the experience of place is paramount.
Traditional boundaries between the built structures and their surroundings are purposefully blurred— large expanses of walls slide, pivot, and raise to open the structures to the outside—offering multiple opportunities for the clients to experience the site and nature.
With the four buildings oriented to spill open to the central courtyard, the design is oriented toward family life and entertainment.
Public areas, including the family room, kitchen, and bar are grouped together in the main building.
Private areas–the master bedroom, kids’ bedroom, and den–are separated in an adjacent structure, with guest rooms in yet another isolated building to allow for independent use.
A sauna sits removed from the cluster of activity with a framed view looking out over the valley below.
Tough building materials, mostly steel and glass, were utilized to stand up to the equally tough environmental conditions–from hot, fire-prone summers to winters with heavy snowpacks.
The wood siding used throughout the project was salvaged from an old barn.
The varying tones of the wood reveal its history and use.
Over time, as the wood and steel weather, the home will become more and more muted in appearance, blending into the landscape.
Great consideration was taken to minimize disturbance of the site and surrounding area.
The placement of the buildings is clustered to allow for the rest of the site to remain in its native state and to maintain the natural landscape as close to the buildings as possible.
The majority of staging was confined to the project patio and driveway and, after completion, the natural landscape was restored where needed.
Ground source heat pumps, the most efficient system available for converting energy input into heating and cooling, are used to reduce the energy usage of the house.
Most of the buildings have radiant floor heating in the cold months and chilled floors in the hot months.
In the bedrooms, forced air heating and cooling are also provided by the ground source heat pump.
Project: Studhorse
Architects: Olson Kundig
Design Team: Tom Kundig, Mark Olthoff, Gus Lynch, and Debbie Kennedy
General Contractor: Schuchart Dow Construction
Structural Engineers: MCE Structural Consultants
Client: Private
Photographer: Ben Benschneider
