Madrona Live / Work is the adaptive reuse of an early twentieth-century storefront in Madrona, Washington, transformed into a combined residence and workspace for a couple with an extensive art collection. The design responds to the deep, street-facing site by organizing the plan around a central living and dining area illuminated by a large skylight, echoing the traditional courtyard house configuration.
A wood-clad core, inspired by the form of a shipping container, encloses the kitchen and powder room, consolidating service functions and providing visual continuity. The interior is marked by flexible boundaries—large pocket doors and steel plate blinders enable spaces to be opened or closed as required, while concealed equipment can be rotated out when needed, supporting multiple modes of living and working within a compact footprint.