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The Pierre / Olson Kundig

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The Pierre / Olson Kundig - Image 2 of 24The Pierre / Olson Kundig - Image 3 of 24The Pierre / Olson Kundig - Image 4 of 24The Pierre / Olson Kundig - Image 5 of 24The Pierre / Olson Kundig - More Images+ 19

San Juan Island, United States
  • Design Principal: Tom Kundig
  • Project Manager: Chris Gerrick
  • Interior Design: Charlie Hellstern
  • Interiors Staff: Cristina Acevedo, Christine Burkland
  • Contractor: Dowbuilt
  • Craftspeople: McCallum Rock Drilling, Westlake Concrete, Modrock Concrete Design, Turner Exhibits, Terry Wean, Rob Capelle, Decorative metal Arts, Argent Fabrication, 12th Avenue Iron, Dowbuilt, Kelly Worrell, Irene McGowan, Village Interiors, Twisted Metal, JD Equipment, Nutech Stone Cutting, Tydi Cut, Optimum Windows, Olympic Glass and Door, HI-Tek Lightworks, Rude Electric, Prokash
  • City: San Juan Island
  • Country: United States
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The Pierre / Olson Kundig - Image 11 of 24
© Benjamin Benschneider / Olson Kundig

Text description provided by the architects. Conceived as a secure and unexpected retreat nestled into a rock, the Pierre (the French for stone) celebrates the materiality of this site. From certain angles, the house – with its rough materials, encompassing stone, green roof and surrounding foliage – almost disappears into nature.

The Pierre / Olson Kundig - Image 24 of 24
Section. © Olson Kundig
The Pierre / Olson Kundig - Image 22 of 24
Floor Plan. © Olson Kundig

With the exception of a guest suite, the Pierre functions on one main level, with an open plan kitchen, dining and living space. A large pivoting steel and glass door opens for access to an outdoor terrace.

The Pierre / Olson Kundig - Image 8 of 24
© Benjamin Benschneider / Olson Kundig

To set the house deep into the site, portions of the rock outcropping were excavated through machine work and handwork. The contractor used large drills to set the outline of the building, then used dynamite, hydraulic chippers, a selection of wire saws and other hand tools, working with finer and finer implements as construction progressed. Excavated rock was re-used as crushed aggregate in the concrete flooring. Excavation marks were left exposed on all the stonework, a reminder of the building process.

The Pierre / Olson Kundig - Image 10 of 24
© Benjamin Benschneider / Olson Kundig
The Pierre / Olson Kundig - Image 14 of 24
© Benjamin Benschneider / Olson Kundig

Throughout the house, the rock extrudes into the space, contrasting with the luxurious textures of the furnishings. Interior and exterior fireplace hearths are carved out of existing stone; leveled on top, they are otherwise left raw. The master bathroom’s sink is composed of water cascading through three polished pools in the existing stone. Both the entry sequence and a powder room are fully carved out of the rock.

The Pierre / Olson Kundig - Image 2 of 24
© Dwight Eschliman / Olson Kundig
The Pierre / Olson Kundig - Image 13 of 24
© Dwight Eschliman / Olson Kundig

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Cite: "The Pierre / Olson Kundig" 19 Jul 2012. ArchDaily. Accessed 1 Jan 2025. <https://www.archdaily.com/255187/the-pierre-olson-kundig-architects-2> ISSN 0719-8884
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© Dwight Eschliman / Olson Kundig

岩石住宅 / Olson Kundig

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