Site: The site is in the Capitol Hill area of Seattle. It is a small urban infill lot on an alley, without frontage to the major streets that bound the block. The 33'x40' site was previously considered unbuildable because of it's unusually small size: five zoning variances were secured to establish use for this project. A shopping district, four bus lines to downtown and a neighborhood community center are all located within easy walking distance. The slope affords distant views from the upper story.

Program: The program is a single family residence for a professional couple and their children. Building cost had to be $90/sf or less, including garage.

Solution: The plan is compact and efficient on a 20'x30' footprint. Essentially, each level of the house is a landing of the central stair of the three story split level. From the bottom, the sequence starts from a single car garage, up to the foyer and living room, up to master bath and nursery, up to kitchen/dining, up to master bedroom, up to children's bedrooms and bathroom.

The house is playful and bright but utilitarian and modern. Adjacencies are vertical in this stacked house, and the definition of areas are blurred by walls flowing from living areas to the stair and back.