An American Place

PROJECT ROLES
Jim Olson, Design Principal

LOCATION & YEAR
Seattle WA, 2004

PROJECT TYPES
Houses/Apartments

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Project Details

Conservation of the site’s natural elements and the presentation of art were the two primary challenges in designing this house. The resulting design weaves the two themes together—art into the home and the house into nature—into a comfortable place to live.

The footprint of the house shifts back and forth to preserve as many of the second-growth trees as possible, and the home’s planted roof provides a habitat for small creatures. Inside, the house is organized around the one of the nation’s premier collections of 20th century American art.

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Recognition

An American Place, designed by Jim Olson, is featured in the new book At Home With Town & Country.
Webb, Michael. "Consummate Grace." At Home With Town & Country. Ed. Sarah Medford. New York: Hearst Books, 2010. 276-285. Pr...
"Concentrated Landscape Installation Art." Residence December 2009: 80-85. Print.
An article about An American Place appears in the March 2009 issue of Emirates Home.
Parida, Shweta. "A Love Affair with Art." Emirates Home, March 2009, pp. 44-48.
Farr, Sheila. “A rare tour of a home’s world-class art collection.” The Seattle Times
Bean, Shawn. “The Chagall or the Chaise.” Florida International Magazine
Abercrombie, Stanley. "Books." Interior Design, June 2006, p. 250.
Hranek, Matthew. “Consummate Grace.” Town & Country
Ngo, Dung. Art + Architecture: The Ebsworth Art Collection & Residence. William Stout Publishing

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