Forest & Pond Issaquah
Location: Issaquah, WA
Design Goals: The owners of this large wooded property in Issaquah envisioned a “forever” home that would embrace the site’s natural beauty while accommodating their family’s long-term needs. The design focuses on creating a single-story, approximately 4,500-square-foot custom home with an attached 950-square-foot garage, thoughtfully nestled within the forested portion of the property to frame views of the surrounding landscape, stream, and pond. The home was designed with future aging-in-place in mind, providing accessible living while supporting the family’s evolving lifestyle. The modern, minimalist design centers around a great room with an open plan that seamlessly connects the main living spaces to the outdoors. Private areas are organized into wings to provide separation and tranquility while maintaining a strong visual and physical connection to nature. The existing cabin, located near the pond, was transformed into the “Pond House,” an entertainment-focused space that can accommodate recreation for the children or larger gatherings. Its open plan layout opens to the outdoors on two sides via large sliding glass doors—one leading to a deck overlooking the pond and another to a covered entertaining area—creating a flexible and inviting space that integrates indoor and outdoor living.
Style: Minimal Modern
Design Challenges + Site Constraints: This wooded Issaquah property presented a complex set of environmental and site-specific challenges that guided the home’s design. The new house was carefully sited within the forested portion of the lot to preserve the natural character of the property and minimize tree removal, with any trees that were cleared sustainably repurposed and sold for lumber. The site’s sloping topography required the home to be designed in harmony with the natural grade to reduce grading and maintain a sensitive footprint. Critical environmental features—including a stream, wetland, and pond—further constrained buildable areas, necessitating precise siting to avoid impacts on these sensitive zones. Existing infrastructure, such as the location of the existing well serving the Pond House, imposed additional limitations, while the need for a new well further reduced the areas available for construction. Balancing these constraints required thoughtful placement of the main house to maximize views, preserve natural features, and maintain functional access while respecting all critical areas and environmental regulations.
Team:
+ Architecture: H2D Architecture + Design
+ Interior Design: Briana Benton
+ Built by: Schenkar Construction