agosta house
Architect:
Patkau Architects
Year:
2000
Location:
San Juan Island, Washington, USA
The Agosta House, designed by Patkau Architects, is a private residence on San Juan Island, Washington. The house is on a 43-acre property surrounded by second-growth Douglas fir forest, with a meadow opening to the northwest, providing panoramic views of the rolling fields and Haro Strait. The design stretches across the meadow's ridge, forming a ‘spatial dam’ that divides the site into distinct zones. This architectural form allows the house to frame the landscape and create a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. The structure comprises exposed heavy-timber fir framing combined with conventional stud framing, supported by a simple concrete slab-on-grade foundation. The exterior is clad in ZACtique metal, protecting it from harsh weather and wildfires. The design integrates the house with its natural surroundings, offering a sustainable and contextually responsive living space.
The Agosta House explores the principles of New Wood Open Architecture through its integration of complex systems and passive involvement. The exposed heavy-timber framing showcases the use of sustainable materials, providing both structural stability and a strong visual connection to the natural environment. This intricate system anchors the house within its rugged setting, responding to the site's natural slope and creating a dynamic spatial experience. However, the involvement of residents is more passive; the design focuses on the interaction between the architecture and the landscape rather than on user engagement with the building's systems. The house's passive involvement reflects a design approach prioritising environmental harmony over interactive user participation. Despite this, the Agosta House sets a precedent for how contemporary wood architecture can respond to and enhance its natural context while maintaining a strong architectural presence.
Material acquisition and preliminary analysis developed by Yahweh Wong
analysis
