Whidbey Dogtrot - Compact Waterfront House Design With Low Maintenance For Retirement

Working in close collaboration with the homeowner, SHED Architecture & Design recently completed Whidbey Dogtrot: a compact house located on a Whidbey Island bluff with sweeping views of the Puget Sound. Set on a large east-west high bank lot, the home is thoughtfully designed to make the most of its square footage while creating privacy from neighbors and a busy rural road to the west. The result is a modest and functional dwelling strongly anchored to its site. The design challenge was to create a compact home for economy of operation, ease of maintenance, and a space that maximized the natural beauty of the site. In addition, the home needed space for guests, visits from adult children, hobbies, music, and a home office. To accommodate the client’s goals, a dogtrot form was utilized —a sheltered breezeway separating 915-square-foot living quarters and the 281-square-foot flex space with a moment of respite from the sun and prevailing winds. The living quarters incorporate a master