Dubbed the Fontaine-Carlson House & Studio, this Bainbridge Island 3-BR took home multiple awards after it was built in 1997, including AIA Home of the Month. Constructed with the idea of a three-building "camp" nestled int the trees, the near-acre property is hitting the market for the price of $1.15M.
Architect Tom Kuniholm designed the property, noting that he wanted to create "a bold statement consistent with [the owner's] artwork and outlook yet the structures are sited to have a light touch on the landscape, conforming to the grade and carefully working around existing trees." As for what those owners (sculptor/glass artist Robert Carlson and writer Mary Fontaine-Carlson) wanted, they desired a home with "a soaring feeling," full of "surprises" and stripped bare of certain features many would consider essential, including a garage, family room, or large kitchen. Instead, the residence is built around a grand main room that can transition from family space to dance hall and back again.
Kuniholm also took care to make space for their extensive collection of art displays. The other two buildings in the complex act as "his and hers detached artists studios." In order to tie the three buildings together, concrete sonotube columns align them and minimize site impact while white corrugated metal lines each one. Stained and waxed concrete is used as a floor material is multiple rooms.
Kuniholm also made sure solar orientation, roof overhangs, and radiant in-floor heating in all three buildings helped with energy efficiency. To their credit, the owners kept some of the extra costs down by doing much of the finish work themselves. In other words, you're getting a custom waterfront home that truly has artistic fingerprints all over it.
· 3664 Lavender Lane NE, Bainbridge Island [Windermere]
· The Carlson Residence [Kuniholm]
· Bainbridge Artists' Home Makes A Bold Statement [ST]