Located in one of Seattle’s most established residential areas, City Cabin’s design answers the client’s desire for a private urban retreat that would connect her to nature. A staggered footprint on the lot allows for dense landscaping, and extensive glazing throughout the house increases solar gains and maximizes garden views. With the goal of net-zero energy use, the home’s design incorporates key sustainability features, and the incorporation of thick greenery onto the site transforms an ordinary urban infill lot into a private refuge.
City Cabin
Seattle, Washington
The 2,400-square-foot home is organized around a central gathering space with two wings extending from it: one with the master suite and the other containing the guest room and storage areas. The heart of the home in plan as well as function, the central area, which consists of an open kitchen and living space, is a single volume defined by a 16-foot-high ceiling and full-height window walls.
The interior palette draws inspiration from the client’s extensive Native American art collection with custom tinted red concrete floors and natural, unstained plywood walls and ceilings. Reclaimed fir siding and galvanized steel roofing continue the emphasis on sustainability and economy. The house incorporates several green strategies such as a green roof, photovoltaic panels and an air-to-water heat pump, reflecting the client’s longstanding engagement with environmental conservation.
The client is an avid conservationist dedicated to preserving existing forests. Here, she is creating a tiny new forest in the heart of the city.Jim Olson, FAIA
Design Principal
Cliff Dwelling
White Rock, Canada
Deer Run
Ketchum, Idaho
Team
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Renee Boone
Publications
2023
Nagy, BF. “The Heat Beneath our Feet.” Plumbing Engineer, Jul. 2023, 38,40,42. Print.
“The Best Architectural Firms in Seattle, Washington.” Home Builder Digest, 24 May 2023. Web.
“The Heat Beneath Our Feet.” PHC News Online, 01 Jul. 2023. Web.
2022
“Green design brings this cabin to the city.” A Green Living, 10 Feb. 2022. Web.
Mitra, Srishti. “Top 10 Cabin Trends of 2022.” Yanko Design, 22 Jan. 2022. Web.
Monie, Karine. “Refugio Wabi-sabi.” Architectural Digest Mexico, Apr. 2020, 120-125. Print.
Zuckerman, Daisy. “20 Homes That Are Habitats.” Dwell Online, 11 Oct 2022, Web.
Wang, Lucy. “Green design brings this cabin to the city.” Inhabitat, 10 Feb. 2022. Web.
2021
Arévalo, Gressia. “Residential: Arquitectura rural.” Glocal, Feb. 2021, 106-109. Print.
“City Cabin in Seattle.” Interni China, Feb. 2021, 124-129. Print.
“Olson Kundig refines the art of the perfect American cabin.” Head Topics, 25 May 2021. Web.
Ramos, Patricia. “Retiro Urbano.” Attitude, Jan./Feb. 2021, 166-173. Print.
2020
“City Cabin.” Archilovers, 4 Dec. 2020. Web.
“City Cabin.” Architonic, 1 Feb. 2020. Web.
“City Cabin by Olson Kundig.” Rethinking the Future, 3 Jan. 2020. Web.
“City Cabin in Seattle.” e-architect, 19 Nov. 2020. Web.
Gallaher, Rachel. “Jim Olson.” Gray Magazine, Dec. 2020/Jan. 2021. Print.
Martinot-Lagarde, Alice. “Les plus beaux chalets de Olson Kundig.” AD France, 30 Nov. 2020. Web.
Oschepkova, Ksenia. “Этнический коттедж в Сиэтле.” AD Russia, 23 Nov. 2020. Web.
Thakrar, Tina. “In Conversation with Olson Kundig.” Good Homes India, 20 Jul. 2020. Web.
2019
“City Cabin.” World-Architects, 13 May 2019. Web.
Monie, Karine. “Refugio Wabi-sabi.” Architectural Digest Mexico, Apr. 2020, 120-125. Print.
2018
Berthelon, Anne-France. “Jim Olson: trait nature.” IDEAT, June 2018, 162-165. Print.
Caballero, Pilar. “City Cabin / Olson Kundig.” ArchDaily, 22 Oct. 2018. Web.
“City Cabin.” Dwell, 13 July 2018. Web.
Gangal, Sanjay. “City Cabin in Seattle, Washington by Olson Kundig.” AECCafe, 16 Dec. 2018. Web.
Keegan, Edward. “Residential: Olson Kundig.” Architect, April 2018, 68,70, 72. Print.
Xie, Jenny. “30 gorgeous kitchens to inspire you right now.” Curbed, 22 Aug. 2018. Web.
2017
Dunham, Sandy Deneau. “‘City Cabin’ An urban retreat inspired by a special connection.” Austin American-Statesman. 17 Dec. 2017, G4. Print.
Dunham, Sandy Deneau. “The House That Friends Built.” Pacific NW Magazine, The Seattle Times, 3 Dec. 2017, 2, J20, J22, J24. Print.
Jenkins, Hannah. The American House: 100 Contemporary Homes. Victoria: The Images Publishing Group, 2017, 92-95. Book.