Download 12111 GRAVELLY LAKE DRIVE SOUTHWEST Modern regional

12111 GRAVELLY LAKE DRIVE SOUTHWEST
Modern regional design in the Pacific Northwest flourished in the mid-sixties. It was
an explosive design era fueled regionally by the present day nationally known
architects and artists such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Ray Eames or Marcel Breuer.
Locally, in Tacoma, alongside such luminaries as George Suyama, Alan Liddle, and Jim
Olson, the modern movement was equally as charged and, the architect, William H.
Hocking was an impressive and noteworthy contributor to that scene. A
Washingtonian he created and built a residence that is a natural part of the local
environment respecting the land and views in a restrained yet grand and elegant
manner.
The design process grew out of a two year long conversation between the owners
and Mr. Hocking. It was the thoughtful reimagining of a contemporary home;
extraordinary and ground breaking at the time yet timeless as ever. Construction
began in 1969 and took approximately two years to build. The layout is a combination
of private and public spaces. They are juxtaposed in a way that maximizes the more
private areas of the house while accommodating ambitious gathering spaces sized to
accommodate presentations, socials and musical events. Spaces are classical in
scale while modern in appointment. The linear plan orients the living spaces to the
lake view buffered by service spaces which are oriented toward the public and
service entries of the house.
The strong materiality of concrete and timber, both lasting trends, is expressed
throughout while other supporting materials and finishes are respectfully subdued
further emphasizing structure and dominant materials.