Surber Barber Choate & Hertlein

Horse Stables & Artist's Studio

Seattle, Washington

The owners' program included several equestrian functions including stalls for three horses, a wet area for washing horses, tack room, bathroom, laundry, and space for horse grooming. Additionally, they desired a detached artist's studio with a covered connection.

The stables are fundamentally organized around a central aisle, located underneath a raised roof to allow for cross ventilation and natural light. The horses' stalls are located east of the aisle where they open directly out into paddocks. Conversely, human functions are grouped west of the aisle, including a breezeway connection to the studio.

A modern language is employed in shaping the architecture, avoiding the more expected traditional "barn" imagery common to the building type. Planes of wood, stone and concrete were located and articulated to define interior and exterior spaces while allowing air and light to flow through. While the primary high roof plane of the central aisle runs north/south, an opposing, lower roof plane extends westward to engage the separate studio, which overlooks a small pond beyond. Materials such as wood, stone, concrete and steel are expressed honestly throughout.

The structure is a combination of wood and steel framing with concrete and masonry bearing walls. The roof structure consists of structural wood decking. The palette of materials includes Douglas fir wood, poured-in-place concrete, stacked granite, steel structural members and accessories, and stainless steel flashing.

All Images © Chris Eden