KBB - August 2008 - (Page 65)

Privacy Act A thoughtful ﬂoor plan keeps this Seattle bath open, but intimate By Alice Liao T “The openness here is typical of our firm’s work,” said Greg Squires, construction manager for Seattle-based Pb Elemental Architecture. “We work with some very small houses, so we try to keep things as open and ﬂowing as possible.” The “here” in question is a 3,600-sq.-ft., two-story home that is located in a north Seattle neighborhood. Although it represents one of the larger single-family residences the ﬁrm has designed, it too bears a minimal regard for walls and doors, while displaying a fondness for the integrity of its materials. Throughout, unadorned concrete and bamboo floors mix with natural wood and copious outdoor views to create airy, streamlined spaces unmistakable in their contemporary vibe. On the second floor, the master bathroom is similarly composed, making the most of its modest footprint and integrating seamlessly with the rest of the master suite. According to Squires, the house is “pretty much the brainchild” of firm principal Chris Pardo. Although it was commissioned by a couple who ﬂirted with the idea of living there once it was completed, Pardo and his team were given free rein in terms of its design. The result is a “courtyard house” composed of two major volumes “borne out of a longer, skinny element,” said Squires. On the ground floor, the main living areas contained in the volumes look out on a central courtyard, while those on the second level have access to roof decks. As with the rest of the home, openness was a key concern in laying out the 230-sq.-ft. master bath. However, here, preserving a certain level of privacy was also desired, especially for the toilet function. To avoid the use of doors, the architects crafted a ﬂoor plan that divides the space with a wall of double vanities. Bathing and washing are relegated to one side, while a water closet is situated on the other. Although the toilet room is centered in the space, “you can only enter it from the back of the bathroom,” said Squires. And with its opening directed away from the other bath functions, as well as the entrance to the bedroom, it retains a sense of intimacy despite missing a door. A third wall separates it from a closet area. Extending to the 10-ft.-high ceiling, the dual-vanity wall accounts for much of the drama in the space. Veneered in warm cherry wood, it is equipped with an oversized vanity mirror, twin undermount sinks and cherry cabinetry topped with a quartz surface in concrete gray. Wall-mounted, the units appear to ﬂoat, enhancing the feeling of openness, as well as the illusion of more room. Because the vanity is a space-saving 18 in. deep, lav faucets sit to the side of the sinks, instead of behind. Noted Squires, this and “spreading out the two sinks had a lot to do with visually expanding the space and the movement around it.” Opposite the vanity, the shower and tub areas are tiled in glass mosaics whose pale, earth-toned hues echo that of the quartz countertop. A glass enclosure for the shower maintains the open design, and a panoramic window above the tub allows bathers to enjoy a view of the sky without compromising their sense of privacy. In keeping with the modern bent of the bath, as well as the entire house, the design team chose tub and shower fittings with spare lines and a clean, minimalist look. During the day, golden sunlight floods the bathroom, infusing it with an air of calm. It penetrates the space thanks to the panoramic window and a trio of square skylights, each of which measures 2 ft., 6 in. x 2 ft. 6 in. According to Squires, although they cannot be seen from the adjoining master bedroom, “the skylights illuminate the far wall in such a way that it draws you into the bathroom.” Further connecting the two spaces, bamboo ﬂooring was employed throughout the master suite and the second ﬂoor. The planks sport a subtle reddish stain to complement the cherry paneling of the vanity wall, as well as the main stairwell in the house. In fact, noted Squires, many of the ﬁnishes and colors selected for the bathroom can also be found elsewhere in the home. “We tried to keep this as a consistent theme throughout the house,” he said. Ultimately, the couple that hired Pardo’s ﬁrm decided not to move into the home, so it was put on the market after completion. During viewings, prospective buyers commented on the openness of the bathroom and its lack of privacy, but the house has since been sold and its current owners, said Squires, seem quite content. Besides, he added, “Walking through the space with eight people is very different from living in it.” s sources Architects: Chris Pardo, Dave Biddle, Greg Squires—Pb Elemental Architecture, Seattle; www.pbelemental.com Contractor: LEAD Construction Manufacturers: Vanity: Canyon Creek Cabinet Co.; Countertop: CaesarStone; Sinks: Kohler; Faucets: Danze (lavatory & shower); Grohe (tub); Tiles: Hakatai; Sconces: PLC Lighting, Inc.; Flooring: Bamboo Hardwoods Photography: © Justin Horrocks www.kbbonline.com / August 2008 July 2004 + K BB 65 http://www.pbelemental.com http://www.kbbonline.com

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