Sized for the Future: an intentionally tiny master suite addition.

Considering the ongoing dialogue about “how we want to live”, we were inspired by how this urban couple “live small” with intentional simplicity. (License plate on their one car – a Mini - reads MINIMIZE!) Their tiny old 800sf cottage exudes charm and delight, but additional space for a small master bedroom suite was desired, without encroaching into highly valued garden spaces. Critical to all was respect for the character of the house, and for the scale and fabric of the beloved old neighbourhood.

Locating the addition above an existing garage towards the lot’s rear, we bridged over it structurally rather than rebuilding to code, thus preserving the small-house scale. Set-backs required stepping the new 2nd story away from the side lot-line, creating an off-set situation that provided for great design opportunities: we tucked a potting shed, garden porch, sauna and outdoor shower under the overhanging master suite – enabling a richly built interface with the inner garden world.

This project represents our clients’ & our collaborative vision of what residential design in Seattle should embrace: enhancing existing housing stock in a manner that doesn’t overwhelm lovely old neighborhoods, but supports and nurtures the needs of urban dwellers with creativity and delight.