Thanks to our wonderful clients for another great year!  In the office, we have a solid mix of intriguing work--a remodel of University Cooperative School, Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands, the completion of Canal Street Studio, a little coffee shop, a host of prefab modular houses on Bainbridge Island, a live-work studio, in addition to some really fun houses and remodels such as The Ranchero, Oliner Residence and the Saratoga Residence.

This next year we're looking forward to the completion of the Ho Residence on Lake Washington, a cabin in Roslyn, a house or two in Seattle, and more on Bainbridge.  We'll also have a sweet townhouse project, a couple second story additions.

Happy New Year to all!

Matt, Stefan, Tim, Rebecca and Forrest

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RBUFW Classroom building, view looking south from the entry path (architectural rendering)

RBUFW Classroom Building

We've been on an intense push the last few weeks to develop a schematic design for the new Classroom Building at the Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands (RBUFW). We're incredibly excited that Seattle Parks and Seattle Tilth were able to compress a two-phase master plan into a single project, but the result has been a very aggressive schedule for the design phase!

For  inspiration, we've been looking at pragmatic agricultural structures, both the simple closed forms of storage sheds and more "prismatic" shapes of greenhouses and barns. Greenhouses are particularly intriguing in the way the inside reveals a complicated structure and interior volume that is barely suggested by their taut and simple exterior form.

Greenhouse interior & exterior images

Sited to preserve the maximum agricultural land, the Classroom Building is nestled into a hillside along the east edge of the property. Three closed "boxes" containing support functions are slotted into the hillside, with the open space between accommodating the classroom and a grove of existing trees.

RBUFW Classroom Building Floor Plan

Above the boxes, a pair of elevated canopies create the primary function spaces and extend out over the pathway to provide plenty of covered outdoor space.

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RBUFW Classroom Building, view from the SW (architectural rendering)

From the outside, these canopies appear as simple translucent volumes, but the inside reveals vaulted space, filtered sunlight and expressive structure. We've taken inspiration from architects such as MW Works and VJAA who accept the construction techniques of industrial space-making, but turn around and use those conventional materials in a very refined and thoughtful manner.

RBUFW classroom building, view under main porch (architectural rendering)

RBUFW classroom building, interior view (architectural rendering)

More media about RBUFW:

Seattle Magazine "On the Urban Farm"

Seattle's Child "Urban Farms Grow Healthy Eaters"

The Seattle Times "An Urban Farm Helps Immigrants from East Africa Settle in Seattle"

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Hot off the presses! We've recently returned from a weekend retreat and photoshoot at "The Ranchero" in Mazama. Nestled at the edge of a subalpine meadow in the upper Methow Valley, the Ranchero is a base camp for year round outdoor adventure and a social hub for gatherings of friends and family.

The plan emphasizes simplicity, abundant natural light and a strong connection to the surrounding peaks and adjacent aspen grove. The public wing features an open floor plan with an expansive patio that sets the stage for relaxation and socializing.

A simple material pallet focuses on highly durable, low maintenance solutions such as Cor-ten steel siding, aluminum clad windows and a concrete skirt that protects the structure’s base during the winter snowpack and spring snowmelt cycle.

The deep veranda, oversized entry and ski wax room provide family and guests a functional landing zone between activities.

Built at a modest scale with super insulated walls and ceilings, energy efficient windows and systems, the home is intended to minimize energy consumption.

With a spine that is aligned along an east west axis, the home is designed to take advantage of passive solar heat gain in the winter while minimizing solar heat gain in the summer.

Mild steel and integrally colored fiber cement panels clad the interior walls for a durable, paint free finish.

The home features regionally crafted custom finish details, casework and furnishings throughout.

Crisp white aluminum ceiling panels reflect light into the home and help blur the line between the indoors and outdoors.

Low VOC finishes, concrete floors, and a heat recovery ventilator insure clean and healthy air.

The private wing offers a master suite with an extra day bed, a ship’s berth inspired bunkroom, and peaceful getaway nooks.

A balance of rugged materials, a simple plan and clean lines help focus this mountain retreat on the place, people and adventures.

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This recently completed residence in the Issaquah Highlands, 20 miles east of Seattle, enjoys spectacular views. A big part of our role here was to know when to get out of the way!

A central circulation spine screens private zones while channeling visitors towards the open kitchen-living-dining area. With its subtle nods to Japanese traditions, the house is as much about choreography as building

More intimate framed views of the contemplative garden and the art collection provide contrast before the vista finally opens completely at the rear of the house.

Generous overhangs and deliberately engineered cross-ventilation provide effective passive cooling and weather protection for this mountaintop site.

PROJECT TEAM

CAST Architecture:  Stefan Hampden, Matt  Hutchins, Forrest Murphy

Add’l Design:  Eric Oliner

Calista Interiors:  Calista Munnell

Stoney Point Engineering (Structural): Dwayne Barnes

Core Design Inc. (Geotechnical & Civil): Glenn Sprague

BDR Custom Homes:  Steven Jewett

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Here are some photos of the Saratoga House--just need some landscaping!

Outdoor dining room off the kitchen

View from the family room to the breakfast bar and kitchen beyond

The Big Island

The Big Island again.

The breakfast bar's single support--custom fabricated stainless steel. 

The view from the front door, looking up the walnut/glass/steel staircase

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For their efforts on the Anderson Residence, Model Remodel has won a Green Remodeling Excellence award from the Master Builders Association.

Congrats to Jason and his crew for a fantastic job!

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The Mazama cabin is all but finished! After a few initial stays and much consideration, the owners have dubbed the Mazama cabin 'The Ranchero!' There are a few final details still outstanding, but the cabin is now open for summer enjoyment.

Looking toward the dining room and kitchen - clear fir doors, windows and trim. Paneled white aluminum ceilings, polished radiant heat concrete floors, integrated sound system, custom furniture, hot rolled steel structure and wall panels...

Rolled steel shelf at entry with Minerit accent panel.

Open shelving in kitchen makes finding things easy for guests.

Custom pantry adjacent to kitchen

Master bedroom with daybed tucks in against the aspen grove

Bunk room with custom beds and storage below

More than a car! More than a truck! The Ranchero!

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Our Saratoga House is suddenly feeling much more put together--most of the cabinetry is in, the stone tile is completed throughout the interior, split face stone going up the arcade columns.  Stucco and the metal roof are on the horizon.

The interior of the house is very open, very connected to the backyard. Not yet installed is the eating bar which will come out parallel with the kitchen island, and supported on a stainless steel tripod.  The staircase is wrapped in more cabinets, with stainless and glass railings.

See more photos after the jump:

We'll be wrapping the arcade roof with standing seam metal all the way around, running the split face limestone up the columns, and matching up the interior stone tile with the exterior tile (same stone, but a change in texture for better footing outside).  The drain in front of the Weiland doors is going to be very understated--a 1/2" slot between courses.

The island is 14' long, 4 1/2' wide--two butterflied slabs of 'Silver Wave' marble.  As the focal point of the kitchen, and the center of family life/entertaining, we really took it over the top!

The cabinet wall is highlighted by a linear skylight.

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CAST architecture kitchen design ideas

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CAST architecture has three projects featured in Taunton's new book on kitchen design.  Thanks to Elizabeth and Clay, Bill and Natasha, and Ken and Marilyn for being great clients!  Bon appetit!

CAST architecture arcade

The Saratoga residence is moving along-soon we'll have the exterior wrapped up, and the arcade complete! The interior walnut cabinetry and floating stair treads/glass rail should be installed soon!

CAST architecture kitchen island

The kitchen, in the foreground, is going to feature a 14' long double loaded island, packed with functionality.  Tucked under the stairs, we'll have a nerve center for all the household computing and controls. There is a private, ornamental garden beyond the dining room's window wall.

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