A Forest Home Framing Views of the Pacific Northwest

A modern Pacific Northwest home is divided into two wings that frame a natural meadow, making the landscape the heart of the design.

Designed by CAST Architecture, this family home sits just north of Seattle, tucked into a quiet pocket of Edmonds. From the start, the goal was clear, protect what made the site special while opening up to views stretching across Puget Sound to the Olympic Mountains.

A modern home divided into two wings that frame a natural meadow, making the landscape the heart of the design.

A Meadow at the Center

The house is split into two wings that frame a central meadow, turning it into the most important space on the site. Instead of filling the land, the design keeps the perimeter built and leaves the middle open.

This layout creates a sense of discovery. You don’t see everything at once. Movement through the site becomes part of the experience, with views unfolding between trees and across the clearing.

Every interior space is oriented outward, using the surrounding forest and distant water as a backdrop.

A modern home divided into two wings that frame a natural meadow, making the landscape the heart of the design.

Outdoor Living, All Year

At one corner, the house opens completely toward a covered patio designed for cooking and dining. With direct access to the kitchen, it makes outdoor use easy in any season.

This space extends the home outward without feeling separate. It’s protected yet open, creating a comfortable transition between inside and out.

A covered outdoor patio designed for year-round cooking and dining, seamlessly connected to the kitchen.

A Bridge That Connects It All

A covered bridge links the garage and office to the main house, acting as a front porch along the way. Topped with a green roof, it blends into the landscape while adding another usable layer to the design.

Below, a gentle stair leads visitors through the gap between the buildings and into the meadow, creating a quiet, gradual entry sequence.

A covered pathway links the garage and office to the main house, acting as a front porch along the way. Topped with a green roof, it blends into the landscape while adding another usable layer to the design.
A covered pathway links the garage and office to the main house, acting as a front porch along the way. Topped with a green roof, it blends into the landscape while adding another usable layer to the design.

Warmth in Every Direction

Inside, the living spaces are filled with natural light and wrapped in clear-finished fir. Even on grey winter days, the interiors feel warm and inviting.

A light-filled living space wrapped in warm wood, with cozy details like a built-in window seat overlooking nature.

A Glass-Framed Corner

The dining area sits within a striking open corner defined by double-height windows. Without a structural column at the corner, the space feels almost transparent.

Views stretch outward in multiple directions, turning every meal into an experience shaped by light, trees, and distant water.

A double-height glass corner dining space that captures sweeping views of trees, water, and sky.
A double-height glass corner dining space that captures sweeping views of trees, water, and sky.
A double-height glass corner dining space that captures sweeping views of trees, water, and sky.

Natural Materials, Built to Last

The kitchen combines white oak cabinetry with black soapstone countertops, creating a material palette that feels warm and durable.

A modern kitchen with white oak cabinets and black soapstone counters, connected seamlessly to indoor and outdoor spaces.
A modern kitchen with white oak cabinets and black soapstone counters, connected seamlessly to indoor and outdoor spaces.

A Crafted Upper Level

Above, a library loft adds another layer to the home. Built-in furniture here was crafted by the owner’s father, an expert woodworker, bringing a personal touch into the space. These custom elements make the loft feel distinct while still tied to the overall material palette.

A cozy library loft with custom-built furniture, adding a personal and crafted feel to the home.

A Treehouse Perspective

The primary suite sits on the second level, surrounded by views of the treetops. Elevated above the ground, it has a quiet, treehouse-like atmosphere. It’s a space that feels tucked away while still open to light and views.

A serene bedroom set among the treetops, offering a peaceful, elevated perspective of the landscape.

This home balances technical challenges with a clear vision. Built on a steep, landslide-prone site, it required careful coordination across engineering, access, and environmental systems.

The result is a compact, efficient design that supports everyday living while preserving the land, adding native planting, and integrating features like a green roof and heat recovery ventilation.


Photography by Peter Bohler