Tucked into the quiet, tree-heavy folds of Seattle’s Denny Blaine neighborhood, Alder House offers a compelling case study in how architecture can mature gracefully without erasing its past. The project, led by SHED Architecture & Design, takes a distinctly 1990s residence – once loud in both color and form – and transforms it into a calm, energy-conscious home that feels deeply attuned to its wooded surroundings.
Rather than removing all traces of the original house, SHED approached the renovation as a considered enhancement. The three-story structure already possessed an intriguing relationship to its site, perched on a sloping lot flanked by alder trees and mature poplars, with filtered light arriving from the south and a discreet alley-level garage tucked below. What it lacked was cohesion – both in how the spaces worked internally and in how the house engaged with the landscape beyond its walls.
An angled path weaves through the trees, carrying visitors toward an elevated deck that bridges ground and home before meeting the front porch. The gesture sets the tone for the renovation: subtle and intentional, with an experience of moving through nature rather than arriving head-on with the home itself.
Inside, the homeowners’ desire for a modern retreat shaped the overhauled layout. At the heart of the transformation is the kitchen, which was repositioned and expanded to become the home’s social anchor. By eliminating a small, underused den near the entry and extending the footprint slightly westward, the design team created a generous, light-filled space organized around a central island. From here, sightlines and circulation flow more naturally into adjacent living areas, reinforcing a sense of openness without sacrificing intimacy.
Large-format doors – both sliding and folding – line the west facade, dissolving the boundary between interior and exterior. When opened, they bring the forest landscape directly into daily life, turning the rebuilt deck into an extension of the living space. This outdoor platform is a carefully detailed room in its own right, complete with integrated planters and seating that offer privacy while framing views down into the garden.
Elsewhere, the renovation focuses on refinement and restraint. Custom ash built-ins appear throughout the home, bringing warmth and continuity while quietly solving storage issues. These elements help unify rooms that were once fragmented by the original postmodern geometry, lending the interiors a calmer, more contemporary rhythm.
The primary suite underwent a particularly thoughtful transformation. Reoriented to capture views of the poplar canopy, it now feels secluded and restorative. Horizontally proportioned windows stretch across the walls, emphasizing the tree line beyond, while vertically laid tile, floor-to-ceiling casework, and carefully placed mirrors subtly amplify the sense of height and light.
Performance is as central to the project as aesthetics. Behind the scenes, the renovation incorporates Passive House strategies and energy-efficient upgrades that dramatically improve comfort and reduce environmental impact. While these systems remain largely invisible, they shape the lived experience of the home, ensuring stable indoor temperatures and long-term sustainability without compromising design.
On the exterior, SHED stripped away some of the house’s more ornamental details to reveal a clearer architectural form. The removal of the tiered cornice allows the volumes to read more cleanly, while new cladding introduces texture and depth. Open-gap cedar siding, finished in a deep, semi-transparent navy stain, pairs with weathering steel accents to create a facade that feels both grounded and responsive to time and climate. The materials recall the ethos of Northern California’s Sea Ranch – architecture that weathers alongside its environment rather than standing apart from it.
To learn more about the Alder House by SHED Architecture & Design, please visit shedbuilt.com.
Photography by Rafael Soldi.
