Office: Prentiss + Balance + Wickline Architects | ArchDaily

Hillside Residence / Prentiss + Balance + Wickline Architects

Susanna Moreira — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 11:00:00 +0000

The 2400 sf Hillside House sits comfortably on a forested slope strewn with enormous boulders. The owners entrusted us with their dream of a comfortable home for an active family of five. At our first meeting, one of the owners shared a sketch of a u-shaped floor plan that literally hugged the largest, most prominent boulder. Although practicalities intervened, embracing the boulder was the seed of the design and we kept it in mind as the project developed.

Tongass Ledge / Prentiss + Balance + Wickline Architects

Thuto Vilakazi — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Tongass Ledge sits gently perched over the Alaskan shore. Overlooking inlet waters and balanced at the edge of a rock wall, two volumes at a subtle angle capture the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. For a busy client who splits time between Seattle and Ketchikan, the complete design required a simple form and program, personalized through highly custom interiors. Standing at the edge of the vibrant Tongass Narrows, the Ledge is the perfect lookout for a nature lover.

Boathouse / Prentiss + Balance + Wickline Architects

Luciana Pejić — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 18:00:00 +0000

Located in the San Juan Islands, the Boathouse stands foremost as a threshold between water and land, an idea it embraces literally by providing upland access to those arriving by boat or seaplane, and figuratively through its location and form. It straddles the elements, providing an entryway as well as a dramatic spot for a morning cup of coffee or a crab boil with the extended family.

Stillwater House / Prentiss + Balance + Wickline Architects

Luciana Pejić — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 03:00:00 +0000

Located on 35 acres outside of Whitefish Montana, the Stillwater residence sits at the edge of a field along the Stillwater River. Meant as a second home for quiet retreats as well as larger gatherings, eventually, the clients plan to move in permanently to take advantage of the scenery, outdoor activities, and remoteness of the rural site.

Whidbey Artists' Retreat / Prentiss + Balance + Wickline Architects

Pilar Caballero — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 13:00:00 +0000

Nestled into a second growth cedar forest on a 10 acre Whidbey Island parcel, this project consists of two artist’s studios, a house and a garage. These buildings are carefully arrayed around the site’s high point, each focused outward toward a distinct view of the adjacent cedars, gullies and small meadow. The buildings are expressed as industrial objects within the landscape, eschewing the idea of ‘blending’ with the surroundings and, instead, striving for a harmonious composition of elements in the forest - an arrangment encouraged by the adventurous aesthetic of the artist clients.

Nahahum / Balance Associates Architects

Karen Valenzuela — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 14:00:53 +0000

Located north of Cashmere, Washington, in the Nahahum Canyon, this 1650 square foot two story dwelling is set into the hillside with concrete retaining walls that guide the form of the cabin.

San Juan Cliffside / Prentiss + Balance + Wickline Architects

Javier Gaete — Fri, 10 May 2013 01:00:00 +0000

The project site is located on a forested ridge on San Juan Island. The steep topography created both design and construction challenges.

Ballard Cut / Prentiss + Balance + Wickline Architects

Javier Gaete — Tue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

The project is sited on a difficult highly regulated site with a steep slope to the west and a large railroad easement and setback to the east. In response to these challenges the concrete foundation and cellar are set the required distance back from the slope and the framed portion of the house is extended over the steep slope buffer to access the water view. This method of extending volumes and elements over others is carried throughout the project ultimately establishing a simple parti of two stacked rectangular volumes that elevate over the site. The second floor volume is rotated from the axis of the linear first floor volume, creating a covered entry, a stair enclosure, access to a roof garden, and focusing the bedroom, bath and office to views of the Sound and the Olympic Mountains.

Glen Lake Tower / Balance Associates Architects

Jonathan Alarcón — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:00:00 +0000

High on a wooded hilltop above a lake in Michigan, the Tower House is the result of an inspiring collaboration between Balance Associates, clients with a passion for architecture as well as their site, and a skilled local contractor.

Capitol Hill Residence / Prentiss + Balance + Wickline Architects

Daniel Sánchez — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 20:00:38 +0000

With a compact form and several integrated sustainable systems, the Capitol Hill Residence achieves the client’s goals to maximize the site’s views and resources while responding to its micro climate. Some of the sustainable systems are architectural in nature. For example, the roof rainwater collects into a steel entry water feature, day light from a typical overcast Seattle sky penetrates deep into the house through a central translucent slot, and exterior mounted mechanical shades prevent excessive heat gain without sacrificing the view. Hidden systems affect the energy consumption of the house such as the buried geothermal wells and heat pumps that aid in both heating and cooling, and a 30 panel photovoltaic system mounted on the roof feeds electricity back to the grid.

River Bank House / Balance Associates Architects

Kritiana Ross — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000

The River Bank House sits along the Gallatin River just outside Big Sky, Montana. The clients love to entertain, so the house was set up to create an open and casual atmosphere with a strong connection to the outdoors. The house is oriented toward the best view of the river while maintaining good solar orientation for taking advantage of solar heat gain in the winter and keeping out the hot summer sun.

Foster Loop / Balance Associates Architects

Victoria King — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Located in Mazama, Washington, the site was enjoyed for many years as a campground by the family. The design minimizes impact to the environment by raising parts of the residence off the ground with small concrete piers. The entry to the house is a slightly elevated walk that leads to the entry and stair. This entry opens up to a 1 1/2 story living space and kitchen which are anchored by a centrally located fireplace and the stair. This stair leads to the “tent like” bedrooms with low walls on the second floor. Both ends of the residence have indoor/outdoor spaces. There is also a deck and elevated catwalk that runs between the trees, across a small valley, and empties onto a grassy clearing in the woods where the family used to camp.

Pine Forest Cabin / Balance Associates Architects

Christopher Henry — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

In order to meet the client’s budget goals, an efficient plan and cost effective selection of building materials reduced construction costs and led to the simple box design. The use of sheet materials both inside and out maximized material efficiency while emphasizing the simplicity of the cabin’s form.

Cortes Island Residence / Prentiss + Balance + Wickline Architects

Christopher Henry — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 01:00:00 +0000

The clients of this home were looking for a house that would eventually become their fulltime residence but could also serve as a getaway, vacation and gathering place in the interim.

Wintergreen Cabin / Balance Associates Architects

Christopher Henry — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Wintergreen Cabin is a 1,600 sqf cabin built into a steep hillside overlooking a stream with a view to the mountains in the distance. The cabin is anchored into the hill with a concrete base that contains the garage and other utility spaces. The upper floor houses all of the living areas. The south side of the cabin is a single space containing the living/dining/kitchen with large window walls on 3 sides. Decks cantilever off of the concrete base on three sides and allow views into the stream below. Facing east, the master suite opens out to the stream ravine with glass sliding pocket doors.

Wolf Creek View Cabin / Balance Associates Architects

Christopher Henry — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Wolf Creek View Cabin sits in a lightly treed meadow, surrounded by foothills and mountains in Eastern Washington. The home is designed as two interlocking “L’s”. A covered patio is located at the intersection of one “L,” offering a protected place to sit while enjoying sweeping views of the valley. A lighter screening “L” creates a courtyard that provides shelter from seasonal winds and an intimate space with privacy from neighboring houses.

Chuckanut Ridge Residence / Prentiss + Balance + Wickline Architects

Andrew Rosenberg — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The house is sited on a forested hillside at the termination of a long steep winding road along Chuckanut Mountain. Only one location, a narrow ridge at the top of the property, provides level building surface. The tree line along this ridge opens to reveal stunning views of the San Juan Islands and the Skagit Valley below.

North Bay Residence / Prentiss + Balance + Wickline Architects

Andrew Rosenberg — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Site Conditions