Icicle House 03 – Washington, United States
Title
Icicle House 03 – Washington, United States
Designed by
Syndicate Smith
Image Credit
© Will Austin
Website Source
Project Description
Project description provided by Syndicate Smith - Tucked into a forested hillside near Leavenworth, Washington, Icicle House 03—affectionately nicknamed “the Treefort” by its owners—is a compact vertical retreat that rises through the trees with quiet confidence. Designed by local architecture firm Syndicate Smith, the 1,077-square-foot structure turns site constraints into assets, offering a model for small-scale living rooted in resilience, efficiency, and a deep respect for place.
The challenging terrain—a narrow, boulder-strewn slope with limited access due to easements and two private bridges—inspired a slender, three-story form that minimizes excavation while maximizing views and livable space. A protected pedestrian bridge connects the home to the road, reinforcing the experience of retreat without sacrificing accessibility.
Durable materials were chosen with purpose. Charcoal siding and Corten steel accents blend into the surrounding forest, while maple plywood brings warmth and brightness to the interior. Expansive windows frame views of Icicle Creek and the canyon beyond, anchoring the home to its alpine context. Inside, the layout stacks shared living spaces above two compact bedrooms, culminating in a rooftop deck that functions as an outdoor living room with space to dine, lounge, or sleep under the stars.
Given the remote location and infrastructural limitations, the design team embraced a self-sufficient mindset. Concrete was pumped across the bridge to lay the foundation, and a rooftop rainwater collection system supplies a 1,600-gallon cistern in the basement, circumventing the lack of a viable well to ensure a seamless domestic water supply.
Icicle House 03 exemplifies Syndicate Smith’s site-specific, client-responsive approach to design—one that embraces constraints, responds to context, and creates meaningful places to live, even on the most demanding terrain.
