The Pierre / Olson Kundig Architects

© Benjamin Benschneider

Architects: Olson Kundig Architects
Location: San Juan Island, , USA
Project Team: Tom Kundig, FAIA
Project Architect: Jon Gentry, LEED AP
Project Manager: Chris Gerrick, LEED AP
Project Year: 2010
Project Area: 2,500 sqf
Photographs: Benjamin Benschneider

Conceived as a secure and unexpected retreat nestled into a rock, the Pierre (the French for stone) celebrates the materiality of this site. From certain angles, the house – with its rough materials, encompassing stone, green roof and surrounding foliage – almost disappears into nature.

© Benjamin Benschneider

With the exception of a guest suite, the Pierre functions on one main level, with an open plan kitchen, dining and living space. A large pivoting steel and glass door opens for access to an outdoor terrace.

© Benjamin Benschneider

To set the house deep into the site, portions of the rock outcropping were excavated through machine work and handwork. The contractor used large drills to set the outline of the building, then used dynamite, hydraulic chippers, a selection of wire saws and other hand tools, working with finer and finer implements as construction progressed. Excavated rock was re-used as crushed aggregate in the concrete flooring. Excavation marks were left exposed on all the stonework, a reminder of the building process.

© Benjamin Benschneider

Throughout the house, the rock extrudes into the space, contrasting with the luxurious textures of the furnishings. Interior and exterior fireplace hearths are carved out of existing stone; leveled on top, they are otherwise left raw. The master bathroom’s sink is composed of water cascading through three polished pools in the existing stone. Both the entry sequence and a powder room are fully carved out of the rock.

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* Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
Cite: "The Pierre / Olson Kundig Architects" 19 Jul 2012. ArchDaily. Accessed 21 May 2013. <http://www.archdaily.com/255187>

9 comments

  1. Thumb up Thumb down +5

    Magic!

    Reply
  2. Thumb up Thumb down +1

    That house is actually on Lopez Island, Washington. Lopez Island is a part of the conglomerate of San Juan Islands. San Juan Island is a different island, across the water from Lopez Island.

    Reply
  3. Thumb up Thumb down +2

    Incredible house.

    Side note: ArchDaily seems to have a bad habit of listing projects with the incorrect area… this project is 2500 square feet, not square meters.

    Reply
  4. Thumb up Thumb down 0

    Marvelously executed. And an skillful blend of minimalist and baroque styles, worked beautifully into the hillside. So happy to see that the rock has been allowed to infiltrate the building envelope, creating those fantastic bathroom details. One of my favourites on Archdaily for sure.

    Reply
  7. Thumb up Thumb down 0

    I like how The Pierre is underground. This gives the homeowner the feeling that they are all by themselves with nothing around them. Nicely Made!

    Reply

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