An Exterior Palette Of Wood And Steel Siding For A Modern House

January 31, 2020
This modern single-family house with exterior materials of ipe wood siding and weathering steel.

When architecture firm Olson Kundig were designing this house on Mercer Island in Washington, they decided to showcase two different modern siding materials.

Weathering steel and ipe wood siding are featured on this modern house.

The single-family home features a combination of durable materials like exterior ipe wood siding – also called Brazilian walnut – and weathering steel.

Weathering steel and ipe wood siding are featured on this modern house.

Both of these materials provide long-term, low-maintenance protection against the wet climate, as well adding visual interest as they weather over time.

A modern house with plenty of windows, weathering steel, and ipe wood siding.
Photography: Aaron Leitz | Architecture: Olson Kundig | Project Team: Kirsten R. Murray, FAIA, Design Principal; Bryan Berkas, Project Manager; Michelle Arab, ASLA, Landscape Architect; Kelley Pagano, Landscape Architecture Staff; Christine Burkland, Interior Design | Key Consultants: Mercer Builders, General Contractor; Coughlin Porter Lundeen, Civil Engineer; Madden & Baughman, Structural Engineer