SITE
Situated on a narrow 2,835-square-foot lot nestled between two large houses in Seattle’s Leschi neighborhood, this home enjoys close proximity to Frink Park and framed views of the Cascades and Lake Washington.
PROGRAM
Since the sale of the art studio in the 1940s, the building has served various purposes, ranging from religious to residential. Today, it is thoughtfully renovated for an owner of the celebrated Phở Bắc restaurant in Seattle’s Little Saigon. The renovation transforms the single-level, 1,000-square-foot structure into a two-level, 1,858-square-foot home. The new design features double-height interiors that connect to the street, yard, and sky.
The 2-bedroom house is compact but provides ample space for entertaining and comfortable living. The main level includes a living room, dining room, and kitchen. The living room, located at the north end, features an enlarged studio window that brings in natural light. The dining area is centrally located and opens to a double-height space with eastern light and visual connection to the upper level. The kitchen, located on the south side, opens to a small backyard with a concrete sitting wall, firepit, and outdoor cooking areas. The different ceiling heights create a dynamic connection between rooms, enhancing the compact home’s open atmosphere and generous sense of space. The upper level includes two bedrooms that share a bathroom and a sitting room open to below and to the roof deck overlooking the street. A half-story between the two living areas provides storage space and houses mechanical equipment.
DESIGN
The existing structure was previously used as a painter’s studio and a church. Due to limited city lot size and several non-conforming land use conditions, it was preserved and integrated into the design of the new compact urban residence. The distinctive clipped flat roof and resulting interior volumes were significantly influenced by the non-conforming wall height restrictions. The original north studio window was enlarged to retain the same north light, and its frame was repurposed as an interior screen and stair guardrail.
Space Theory cabinets are the centerpiece of the kitchen and social hub of the house, which is set between the dining room and south patio. Pink elements, inspired by an existing street-facing window and the owner’s restaurants, are incorporated throughout the home to create a visual connection between the house, site, street, and the owner’s businesses in the International District.
