SHED Transforms a Mid-Century Gordon Walker Home in Seattle


Perched on the sting of Seattle’s lush St. Mark’s Greenbelt and a brief stroll from the colourful Capitol Hill neighborhood, a 1979 apartment designed by famend architect Gordon Walker just lately underwent a transformative rework by SHED Structure & Design. Walker, co-founder of Olson Walker (now Olson Kundig), left an indelible legacy within the Pacific Northwest, and this venture aimed to honor his authentic imaginative and prescient whereas adapting the area for modern residing.

The apartment’s proprietor was initially drawn to the property’s serene views of the densely forested Greenbelt and its shut proximity to Volunteer Park, a really perfect setting for each day walks together with his two Akitas, Chela and Bosco. Whereas the architectural framework of the 1,675-square-foot area remained robust, the interiors wanted updates to higher go well with trendy wants. The rework sought to protect Walker’s authentic design rules – prioritizing a connection to nature and contextual concord – whereas incorporating influences from the proprietor’s international travels, notably to Australia, Korea, and Japan.

Modern kitchen with light wood cabinets, white counters, and stainless steel appliances. A red pot on the stove, bread on a cutting board, and colorful flowers in a vase.

SHED’s strategy blended respect for Walker’s architectural sensibilities with the proprietor’s need for an area that balances openness and privateness. Key targets included creating an inviting and useful kitchen for a professionally skilled chef, enhancing pure gentle, and crafting luxurious but serene bed room suites.

Modern interior with large glass doors leading to a patio. Light wooden floors, dining table, chairs, and brown sofa are visible. Greenery and outdoor seating are seen through the open door.

As a professionally skilled chef, the proprietor envisioned a kitchen that was each extremely useful and visually placing. SHED reworked the area right into a culinary haven with rift-sawn white oak cabinetry crafted by Henrybuilt. The brand new structure permits for a number of cooks to work comfortably whereas sustaining a clear, minimalist aesthetic that encourages social interplay and ease of motion.

A modern living room with a brown leather sofa, large windows showcasing a tree view, a floor lamp, a TV mounted above a fireplace, and a wooden coffee table with books.

Pure gentle floods the lounge via expansive floor-to-ceiling home windows that body the Greenbelt views, making a seamless indoor-outdoor connection. A refined materials palette enhances the area, with a modernized fire clad in blackened metal and set atop a quartzite fireplace. Quartzite remnants had been repurposed to craft a customized espresso desk and aspect desk, including continuity and sustainability to the design. The open-plan structure effortlessly connects the lounge to the eating space, kitchen, and outside patio, the place a customized concrete hearth pit anchors a wooden bench – an inviting area for gatherings and quiet reflection alike.

Dog resting in a cozy nook under wooden stairs next to a green door in a modern home interior.

The apartment’s unassuming exterior maintains its quiet presence amid Capitol Hill’s bustling surroundings, however stepping inside reveals a placing transformation. The double-height entryway now incorporates a sage-green entrance door, a sculptural chandelier, and a reimagined stairway enclosed with a white powder-coated metal guardrail. The previously open-tread staircase was enclosed, not solely offering further closet storage but additionally carving out a comfortable nook for the canine.

A tall, light green door is partially open, set between large windows in a modern interior entryway with light wood flooring and a small wooden table with decorative items.

A modern, minimalist entryway with a tall green door, white walls, wooden flooring, a brass chandelier, and a console table with decor. A coat hangs on a hook by the door.

Minimalist bathroom features a wooden vanity with a rectangular sink, round mirror, hanging globe lights, and a potted plant, against a textured tiled wall.

The higher degree was reconfigured to accommodate two personal bed room suites – one main and one for company – every designed to evoke a way of calm and class. Grasscloth accent partitions, white oak paneling, and customized casework create heat and alluring areas. The loos, compact but luxurious, characteristic milestone plaster partitions, Japanese-inspired tile, and a steam room, providing a spa-like expertise. Thoughtfully built-in storage enhances performance with out compromising aesthetics. A non-public patio adjoining to the suites gives a peaceable outside retreat and a refined visible connection to the road beneath.

Modern bedroom with a bed, a chair near a large window, a knot cushion on the floor, a fireplace, and framed artwork on the walls. Neutral tones and natural light create a serene atmosphere.

Modern bedroom with large windows, a wooden chair, and a leather lounge chair. Sunlight streams in, highlighting the wooden floor and white walls. Bed partially visible in the foreground.

All through the apartment, SHED launched new glazing, electrical shades, and improved insulation to handle the challenges of temperature management, remodeling beforehand stuffy interiors into a cushty, climate-controlled sanctuary. The rework efficiently balances reverence for Walker’s authentic design with the calls for of recent residing, leading to a timeless but modern house that displays each the heritage of the Pacific Northwest and the distinctive experiences of its proprietor.

Minimalist bedroom with a wooden floor, a large bed, green bedside tables, a potted plant, and open wooden doors leading to a hallway.

Modern bathroom with wooden vanity, large mirror, and a window reflecting greenery. A small plant and soap dispenser sit on the countertop. Glass shower door visible on the left.

A modern bathroom features a wooden vanity with a white countertop and a rectangular mirror. A plant sits near the sink. Sunlight streams in from a large window overlooking a garden.

A narrow hallway leads to a room with a brown armchair and a textured white rug. A section of a bathroom with a faucet and shower curtain is visible on the right.

Bedroom with a double bed, large window with a view of a garden patio, and an open glass door leading outside. A plant, side table with books, and a small lamp are visible.

A cozy outdoor deck with a wicker chair, ottoman, and small table holding a glass. Surrounded by lush trees and a view of a cyclist on the street below.

Outdoor wooden deck with L-shaped bench, cushions, and a concrete fire pit in a lush, forested setting under cloudy skies.

Entrance to a modern home with a pergola covered in greenery. A glass door opens to an interior with visible stairs and a well-lit room beyond.

A cyclist rides past a modern house with a two-car garage, surrounded by trees and greenery, under a clear sky.

Earlier than pictures:

Minimalist dining area with a round glass table and four chairs on a rug. Large window reveals greenery outside. Light wooden floor and cabinets in the open kitchen space.

Modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, stainless steel appliances, open shelving, and a built-in cushioned bench with patterned pillows on a wooden floor.

Modern open-concept living area with hardwood floors, a dining table, a fireplace, and a kitchen featuring stainless steel appliances. Sofa and shelving provide additional storage and seating.

A minimalist room with wooden floors features a staircase, a bed, a dresser with a lamp, wine bottle, and glasses, and a wall picture of a tree.

Bedroom with large windows, a bed with white linens, and a small seating area. Walls are light-colored, and there's a view of trees outside. Artwork hangs above a writing desk.

Bathroom with a large granite countertop, dual sinks, and big mirror. The room features a shower with sliding doors and teal towels.

For extra data on SHED Structure & Design, go to shedbuilt.com.

Pictures by Rafael Soldi.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in images from SCAD and might normally be discovered trying to find classic wares, doing New York Occasions crossword puzzles in pen, or remodeling playlists on Spotify.



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