Collector?s Retreat, Orcas Island, WA Building Project, Yakima County Real Estate, US Architecture Photos
Collector?s Retreat on Orcas Island, Washington
Jul 12, 2021
Design: Heliotrope Architects
Location: Orcas Island, Washington, USA

Collector?s Retreat
Heliotrope Architects’ clients for Collector?s Retreat own and operate a Los Angeles area retail gallery featuring a curated collection of west-coast artists. They desired a retreat with the feel of a contemporary art gallery, with plenty of wall space to display a rotation of their collection while also capturing expansive views offered by the site.

Program requirements consisted of a single living/dining/kitchen area with two bedroom suites with maximum separation – one for the parents and the other for their grown daughter.
An accessory studio space and utility room complete the program, with the total area a modest 1,600sf. The structure is situated at the top of a steep hill, with views to the south-west and a wetland forest on the side opposite.

The main living space is flanked on either side by the bedroom suites, focusing views in an axial manner toward the water and the wetland forest.

Outside, a carport doubles as an exterior space for entertaining in inclement weather and a lower terrace with fire-pit serves as the primary focus for summer leisure.

In response to the owner?s desire for the focus to be on the art and the view, the massing has been developed as a simple box, with a mat...