Long residence

Long residence, completed in 2003 by Cutler Anderson Architects, is situated within a second-growth forest on Orcas Island, Washington. Designed for a couple and their guest, the house occupies a site along the north side of a saltwater channel and responds to the dual conditions of waterfront views and proximity to an easement road above. The brief called for privacy from passing vehicles while maintaining a direct relationship to the surrounding natural landscape and channel. The structure employs a straightforward shed roof, oriented to open visual connections to the water while shielding the house from the road. Exposed cedar log tripods address lateral structural loads, while log beams and 2x12 rafters handle gravity loads, emphasizing the variety and character of the timber throughout. The wooden framework is wrapped in a combination of glass and cedar shingles, both protecting and expressing the underlying structure. This assembly results in a building where material honesty and connection to the forested setting inform each design decision.

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