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Architects: Miller Hull Partnership
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Photographs: Benjamin Benschneider
Text description provided by the architects. Located in the San Juan Islands of Washington State, the 10 acre site contrasts between gently rolling fields that abruptly terminate in a 100-foot-high bluff that drops to the water’s edge below. The juxtaposition between these two conditions led to the architectural concept.
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High westerly winds from the water blow against the bluff concentrating forces at the top. The house mediates this force by creating a wind break. Stretching along the bluff are the living areas, the entry porch and the garage. This north/south oriented wing is highly glazed to take advantage of the long range views over the bluff to the islands.
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In contrast, the private functions of the house, the bedrooms and guest rooms stretch east/west opening to protected garden areas and a terrace created on the leeward side. Doors open onto a south facing continuous porch with glazed roof. This area has been designed to take advantage of passive solar heating in the winter while providing shading during the summer months.
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At the juncture of the house is a two-story tower element which contains an art studio and office space. A solar hot water array on the roof provides domestic hot water and augments the hot water hydronic floor heating.
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