Perched on the steep shores of Lake Sammamish, this three-story residence captures expansive waterfront views through its open rear façade, which also presented unique structural challenges. To ensure the home’s stability, we used wood shear walls, providing the necessary lateral restraint.
The site, characterized by poor soil conditions, previously housed an existing structure. By reinforcing the existing basement with pin piles and expanding it with additional pin piles and grade beams, we minimized demolition and preserved the original foundation and walls.
Shoreline setback requirements limited our ability to expand the house beyond its original footprint. Additionally, strict impervious surface regulations posed a challenge, requiring creative solutions to stay within the limit.
The distinctive bridge entryway addresses the site’s significant grade change. This entry leads directly to the top floor, where a three-story vertical void opens to the basement below. To maintain the openness of the stairway while providing essential structural support, we designed a system of internal stiffeners and framing hidden within the window wall. This design allows the walls to span the full three stories without conventional floor bracing, resulting in a seamless visual and structural solution that enhances the architectural integrity of the space.
