- Architecture & development
The beautiful Whidbey Farm was designed by MWworks as a contemporary retreat inspired by the surrounding forest and the agricultural history of the site. It became an open, light and rustic home where nature plays the leading role.
MWworks is a Seattle-based design studio specialising in interior and architectural design for residential and commercial projects. The office was founded in 2007 by Steve Mongillo and Eric Walter. It is a fairly small studio that realises exciting projects of various sizes. With a passion for details and materials, MWworks has a clear approach that focuses on the context and the process. ‘It is our goal to bring the vision of the client, the particulars of the site, and the richness of craft together to create an enduring livable architecture capable of inspiration and delight.’ 
'With a palette of naturally weathered woods, concrete, stone walls, and black steel accents, the house strives to be warm and rustic, simple and open.’
With Whidbey Farm, MWworks created a beautiful contemporary residence as a holiday home and temporary residence for a family and future generations. The site where this house is located is farmer property and is called Whidbey Island Farm, hence the name of this project. ‘Out of respect for turn-of-the-century farm buildings on the site, this house carefully tucks into nearby forest,’ the studio says. It stands on a low hill and overlooks existing buildings, fields with cattle, a pond and the forest itself. This beautiful setting inspired the designers to use a lot of large windows and to provide an extensive outdoor space so that the residents can enjoy it to the fullest. The house is formed around a courtyard of natural grasses and ferns. 
The spaces are made of cedar and spruce wood, which allows nature to enter and gives you a warm aesthetic. ‘With a palette of naturally weathered woods, concrete, stone walls, and black steel accents, the house strives to be warm and rustic, simple and open.’ A house that honours both the forest and agricultural heritage of the site. 
Courtesy of MWworks
Photographer: Kevin Scott