A thorough residential remodel on the west side of Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands, the Deer Harbor project began with an existing house typified by a profusion of hipped roofs, a warren of rooms and an unfortunate theme of heavy stone fireplaces planted firmly in the way of the breathtaking views beyond. PBW worked carefully with the client to re-envision the floor plan to work with a more contemporary lifestyle and to modernize the dated aesthetic. Removing the numerous interior divisions of the previous design, the floor plan was opened allowing for natural light from new floor-to-ceiling windows to permeate the space. A dramatic 'cut' through the center of the house makes room for a modern box element with a shed roof, breaking free of the surrounding hipped roofs and opening dramatically to the layered islands beyond. The interiors were completely redone emphasizing the warm tones of white oak, with steel accents at fireplaces and stairs. Sustainable systems such as a tight building envelope, solar array and a geothermal heat pump were integrated into the new construction.
