This courtyard-like room used skylights and masonry walls that extend out on both sides into the gardens. Patios on both sides were covered in trellises, a continuation of the interior space into the outdoors.
Burien Gardens - Main Residence and Accessory Dwelling Units
Front view of the main residence and attached ADU looking into the courtyard garden.
This project began with the idea of a courtyard garden enclosed by three buildings: the primary residence, an attached ADU, and a detached ADU. Organizing these units into a coherent whole, in which each has access from the driveway and private space, was the first concern of the architect.
Rear view of the home from the rear yard, showing the delineation of the vertical metal siding and horizontal wood siding.
Next was creating a beautiful courtyard with spaces that moved through the interior. Masonry walls tied the house into the garden, aided by overhead skylights and deep cantilevered trellises.
The relationship between the main residence and attached ADU follows our FlexHouse prototype concept that allows the interchanging of rooms between the two units.
Design Process Sketches
Trellises, skylights, and earth berms were part of the original concept for creating an intimate courtyard.
A sun room with many skylights was part of the original concept for the interior.
First sketch of the final design concept, showing courtyard walls passing into the living room, with large sliding glass doors opening to trellis-covered patios.