Project Name

 Chuckanut Mountain Aerie

 Location

 1228 Brighton Crest Drive, Bellingham WA

 Project description

 New home on a steep Puget Sound site, overlooking Chuckanut Bay and the San Juan Islands 

Fierce, soaring eagles have an eye level view as they glide by this home for a newly retired couple.  The welcoming, traditionally styled Craftsman home is a convergence of idea, vision, dream and touch.  Expansive, ever-changing views of water, islands, distant mountains and sky provide an inspiring, yet sheltering nest for this adventurous couple to reflect on journeys they have take then together and those to come.   

 Why is this a great accomplishment

The house is the fulfillment of a dream nurtured over many years.  Before it could be realized, there were children to educate and see launched, years of work to fulfill and finally, a house to be sold in a tough housing market.  Then when it came to building, there were technical challenges to be solved:  a steep site; designing to take maximum advantage of the spectacular views (but only on one side of the house); orienting for passive solar gain and photovoltaic panels; reserving an area for a geothermal heating system; an underground stream, unstable fill, limited access, very narrow buildable area.  NO ROOM FOR ERROR.

 

 

What inspired you to create this design?

The spectacular site called for a sweeping deck from which approaching visitors experience an infinity pool-like vista of sky and water … and rooms that connect to that outdoor painting from every vantage point.  Connecting inside to outside, with a traditional character that played well with adjoining homes was paramount.

How did Marvin products help realize the vision?

 

Beautiful, affordable, functional, and flexible, the Marvin line was the perfect answer for the most important element of the design on this site, maximizing the view.  The windows provide the proscenium through which the mountains, islands, sea and sky of Puget Sound are displayed on an ever-changing canvas of light and movement.  But like a finely produced play, the windows also operate efficiently and reliably to shut out ferocious winter winds and rain, helping to maintain the steady, cozy interior house temperatures that warm and comfort during cold and damp winter days. Just as reliably, they temper intense summer sun that would otherwise have the homeowners reaching for the blinds.

 

Additional Comments?

The owners have said, ‘We wanted the house to capture the majesty and inspiration of the sweeping views – but we also wanted it to be welcoming and comforting, whatever the season.  We know we achieved this; visitors are struck silent by the views, but also feel so sheltered and comfortable that they are often reluctant to leave to visit local restaurants or other attractions.  “Let’s just eat here,” is a typical reaction!  The windows play the most important role in achieving this effect.  They connect us with the view, but protect us from the wind and cold, or the intense summer sun.  They function smoothly and reliably.  They make our home the comfortable, beautiful place it is.”