Architectural Record | Residential Quarterly

	contact us

	advertise

from our archive

Projects

Residential Quarterly – January 2006

Off the Record: Recent Blog Posts

Recently Posted Reader Photos

Reader Commented / Recommended

Most Commented

Most Recommended

print this page |

e-mail this page | subscribe | newsletter

Long Residence

Orcas Island, Wash.
Cutler Anderson Architects

The elegant Long Residence embodies Cutler Anderson Architects’ interpretation of a log cabin

	Photo © Art Grice Photography

By Victoria Medgyesi

If architect James Cutler, FAIA, had his way, Orcas Island would be nothing but blue and green—at least as seen from the air. Cruising by helicopter over one of the most serene spots in the Pacific Northwest’s San Juan Island chain, he managed to get his message across despite the ear-splitting noise. “Look,” he shouted, as we passed over a recently completed project. “Isn’t that great? You can barely see the place at all.”

Their site was steep but buildable, lush with second-growth forest, and in possession of a sweeping view that overlooked a wide saltwater channel and nearby Shaw Island. Just as fortuitous, says Cutler, was the couple’s playful, experimental streak, which he shares. It was this set of particulars and the relatively simple programmatic desires of the client—a serious kitchen, truly private spaces, room for family gatherings—that shaped the design of the vacation retreat.

Responding to the steep, wooded site, Cutler supported the house on 18 sets of peeled-wood tripods engineered to provide enough lateral stability to dispense with conventional shear elements. The tripods were attached to western red cedar log beams by concealed steel plates and bolts. Each was then visually punched through the floor and extended down to a steel connection at the footing. A system of rafters graduated in size relative to span resists the pull of gravity.

Each room in the 2,035-square-foot house opens to the expansive cedar terrace through a set of 8-by-6-foot, custom sliding doors, providing multifaceted views to all the interior spaces. A corridor running the full length of the uphill side of the house provides access to all of the rooms—the main living area, bedroom suite, guest room, and two full baths.

It’s a soft/hard balance echoed in the muted beech-wood floors, the whitewashed pine walls, and the clean lines of the custom wood furniture and cabinetry, much of which was designed by Cutler himself.

Want the full story? Read the entire article in our January 2006 issue.
Subscribe to Architectural Record in print, or get Architectural Record digitally

the People

Owner
Dixon and Ruthanne Long

Architect
Cutler Anderson Architects
135 Parfitt Way SW
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
206-842-4710 tel.
206-842-4420 fax.
www.cutler-anderson.com

Jim Cutler FAIA; Julie Montgomery AIA; Chad Harding

Interior designer
Doug Rasar Interiors
Bellevue, Washington

Engineer(s)
De Ann Arnholtz PE
Coffman Engineers
Spokane, Washington
www.coffman.com

Consultant(s)
Landscape:
Robert Trachtenberg, Landscape Architect
Berkeley, California

Installation:
Michael Budnik
Eastsound, Washington

Lighting:
Cutler Anderson Architects
www.cutler-anderson.com

General contractor
Butch Alford
Alford Homes
Poulsbo, Washington
www.alfordhomes.com

Photographer(s)
Art Grice Photography
206-842-1294

the Products

Structural System
The primary structure of the building is protected by the glass skin that wraps the building.

Exterior Cladding
Metal/glass curtainwall:
Glass Curtain wall

Wood:
Cedar Shingle siding

Metal:
Easy Lock by Taylor Metal Products, Inc. Salem, Oregon www.taylormetal.com

Glazing
Glass:
Custom Glass Windows – Window walls designed by Jim Cutler

Sliding doors:
Custom built by contractor, using marine hardware

Interior Finishes
Acoustical ceilings:
Douglas Fir Rafters

Cabinetwork and custom woodwork:
Built in cabinets designed by Cutler Anderson Architects

Paints and stains:
Interior wall finish is white washed pine

Resilient flooring:
Beech wood flooring

Special surfaces:
Granite counter tops

Carpet:
Living room rug custom designed by Doug Rasar Interiors

Upholstery:
All upholstered pieces by/from National Furniture Company www.nationalfurniture.com

Lighting
- Low voltage lighting in main space: “K Pivot” fixtures by Tech Lighting www.techlighting.com
- Lights over dining table: low voltage lighting – Venezia Light Fixtures
- Light fixture at entry hall custom designed by Cutler Anderson Architects

Special Subscription Offer: Get Architectural Record Digital Free!

print this page |

e-mail this page | subscribe | newsletter



© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved