Minimalist Forest Retreat For The Hustle Of Everyday Life

this minimalist house was designed to escape from the everyday life and its hustle and to merge with nature

This minimalist house was designed to escape from the everyday life and its hustle and to merge with nature.

When a couple in Seattle decided to pare down and simplify their lifestyle, they hired Suyama Peterson Deguchi to design a minimalist house that still felt like home but without all of the excess. The Junsei House offers the homeowners a retreat from the hustle of everyday life with its tree-filled surroundings.

Wanting to respect the landscape, they built a modest home with a minimal footprint that doesn’t try to overtake its surroundings. All of the existing trees were left untouched and little digging took place so the trees’ roots would be protected. That left only a width of 18 feet and a length of 80 feet to work with.

Inside, the lush landscape is framed like art by the walls of windows giving the feeling of living in a treehouse. The walls are white or covered with dark wood, and there no curtains to maximize the views, so the connection with outdoors is maximal. There are two levels, the first is an open layout containing all the spaces except for the home office, which is on the second floor.

The project was completed with a minimal budget that was aided with the use of lower cost materials, like raw plywood on the inside and corrugated metal siding covering the exterior. A white box that’s seen on the front of the house and continues inside contains the service components for the house, while also creating the loft space above.

2 of 12
The house is decorated in minimalist style, the window size is maximized to create an impression of living in a tree house.

The house is decorated in minimalist style, the window size is maximized to create an impression of living in a tree house.

4 of 12
Some of the furniture pieces are flea market finds, they differ in style but give an eye-catchy element.

Some of the furniture pieces are flea market finds, they differ in style but give an eye-catchy element.

5 of 12
All the spaces are designed so that the owners could enjoy the views as well as possible.

All the spaces are designed so that the owners could enjoy the views as well as possible.

6 of 12
I like the sark stained furniture with black leather, it makes you feel as if it's a country house.

I like the sark stained furniture with black leather, it makes you feel as if it's a country house.

7 of 12
This hearth gives the space a feel of a camp and the unclutterness of spaces is great.

This hearth gives the space a feel of a camp and the unclutterness of spaces is great.

8 of 12
The bathroom is decorated with wooden panels, modern furniture and retro towel holders.

The bathroom is decorated with wooden panels, modern furniture and retro towel holders.

9 of 12
The bedroom features a dark colored bed and abstract artworks.

The bedroom features a dark colored bed and abstract artworks.

10 of 12
The storage units make the space uncluttered and the window sill is used as a table.

The storage units make the space uncluttered and the window sill is used as a table.

11 of 12
The home office is located on the upper level and it's decorated in retro style.

The home office is located on the upper level and it's decorated in retro style.

12 of 12
The space is attic and decorated with wicker furniture to keep the feeling of a country home.

The space is attic and decorated with wicker furniture to keep the feeling of a country home.