top of page

The Lake Washington House was undertaken as a speculative project for Neill and Allison Ainslie, a brother and sister general contractor team. The site is located on an upland lot near Genesee Park along Lake Washington Blvd South with expansive lake views to the east. Portions of the existing foundation of the house were left in place so that we could build-over and expand upon the exiting non-conforming footprint. Deliberate attention was given to the design of interior spaces to optimize the water views to the east and create a more intimate, indoor-outdoor connection to the enclosed privacy of the backyard to the west.  When sitting in the rear yard, one can experience the lake views through the sliding glass doors along the east and west sides of living areas. The roof structure along the front elevation is constructed of exposed tongue and groove fir decking set over double wood rafters and exterior is pre-stained, tight-knot cedar siding with thermally broken aluminum windows and doors. The floors are polished gypcrete with an in-floor radiant heat system over the existing slab on grade. The built-in cabinetry is a dark stained, rift oak combined with quartz and marble countertops and blackened steel fireplace surround.

Project name: Lake Washington House

Project type: New house over existing foundation

Building Area: 3,500sf

Consultants: Harriott Smith Valentine Engineers

General Contractor: Ainslie-Davis Construction

Photography: Ben Benschneider

Completed: October 2008

bottom of page