The West Seattle Chalet by SHED Architecture & Design draws inspiration from the Swiss Alps for its design, targeting net-zero energy efficiency. Located in Seattle, Washington, this contemporary wooden house features large windows that frame views of the surrounding garden and Olympic mountains. Warm and minimal interiors complement the chalet’s exterior, clad entirely in wood. The design includes street-facing elements for community engagement and private living spaces at the back, offering garden views and access to outdoor areas.

Contemporary chalet in Seattle
The West Seattle Chalet designed by SHED Architecture & Design melds Swiss architectural inspiration with Pacific Northwest sensibilities, emphasising both aesthetics and energy efficiency.
The contemporary chalet, intended for a couple who lived in Switzerland for 15 years, replicates the jagged peaks of the Swiss Alps and was designed to target net-zero energy efficiency in sunny Seattle.
Warm and minimal interiors pervade the home’s wood-clad facade which encompasses three stories of street-facing, privacy-centric living space that form the key theme underlying the habitat.

Wood cladding and elemental materials
Designed without children in mind, the home’s program fosters a sense of community with public living spaces situated at the southern side of the house.
Street-facing elements were requested by the home’s design-savvy owners to promote engagement with neighbours while ...