Reflects a sustainable spirit without disposability

FINNE Architects proudly introduce the Bainbridge House, a secluded sanctuary on a wooded 3-acre site on Bainbridge Island, a small city in western Washington State. A 500-ft driveway winds through the woods up to the house, located in a clearing at the top of a gentle hill. The house opens to a gently sloping meadow on the south side of the clearing.

Main exterior view
Photo credit: Benjamin Benschneider

Overall, the house is organized into two main volumes, with the glazed entry located in between these two volumes. The bedroom wing is to the west of the entry, and the living pavilion extends to the east, into the landscape. The living area has large glass walls to the south and north, allowing the landscape to surround the space, with the fireplace anchoring the east end. On the north side of the living area, a sculptural pantry volume is clad in organic Kolumba brick from Denmark. The fireplace is also made with Kolumba brick, with a blend of three variegated grey colors.

Exterior view
Photo credit: Benjamin Benschneider

Interior view of living area
Photo credit: Benjamin Benschneider

interior interior view of kitchen
Photo credit: Benjamin Benschneider

Interior view of primary bath
Photo credit: Benjamin Benschneider

interior view of primary bath
Photo credit: Benjamin Benschneider

The living pavilion ceiling has a dense pattern of exposed wood beams, interrupted by five shafts of light coming from roof light monitors. Each light monitor is rotated slightly from the orthogonal geometry of the wood beams, so there is a sense of movement across the wood ceiling. The light monitors in the ceiling begin at the kitchen and then unfold as visitors move through the space. The dining table is placed across from the kitchen, with large sliding glass doors opening to a raised terrace overlooking the meadow.

Interior view of ceiling light monitors
Photo credit: Benjamin Benschneider

Custom steel pendant light fixture
Photo credit: Benjamin Benschneider

Living pavilion interior view
Photo credit: Benjamin Benschneider

The house was designed to be sustainable from the start, with broad 4-6 ft roof overhangs, 40% higher insulation values than required by code, efficient natural ventilation, large amounts of natural lighting, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, LED lighting, locally sourced materials, and drought-tolerant landscaping. Windows have high-performance Low-E insulated glazing and are equipped with concealed shades. The house roof has been planned for future photo voltaic panels.

Custom steel fireplace and tv screen
Photo credit: Benjamin Benschneider

Detail of custom milled cabinet panel
Photo credit: Benjamin Benschneider

Steel Stair detail
Photo credit: Benjamin Benschneider

Detail of custom cast glass breakfast counter
Photo credit: Benjamin Benschneider

Exterior view of living pavilion with roof light monitors
Photo credit: Benjamin Benschneider

Deep roof overhangs, built-in shades, and high operating clerestory windows are used to reduce heat gain in summer months. During the winter, the lower sun angle is able to penetrate into living spaces and passively warm the radiant-heated floor. Low VOC paints and stains have been used throughout the house. The high level of craft evident in the house reflects another key principle of sustainable design: eschew “throw-away-ism” and make the house last many years!

Exterior View of living pavilion and bedroom wing
Photo credit: Benjamin Benschneider

About FINNE Architects

Nils Finne, AIA, is principal of the award-winning FINNE Architects in Seattle. His residential work has been widely published in over 100 books and magazines, and FINNE Architects has been recognized as one of the best Seattle design firms by local and national media. In addition to architecture, Nils has been involved in the design and fabrication of more than 80 pieces of furniture, lighting, and hardware. He is known for highly crafted, sustainable, modern residential architecture.