Orcas Island getaway executes a theme of absolute simplicity ; Orcas Island getaway executes a theme of absolute simplicity

The house: An Orcas Island getaway set amid 15 forested acres, the house is actually three "pavilions" set at angles along an enclosed spine, or loggia. One pavilion is the kitchen, dining room and living room. It has a vaulted ceiling, heated blackened polished concrete floors, and a two-sided freestanding Rumford fireplace. The counter tops in the cooking area feature the same granite-like finished concrete that trims the fireplace. The other pavilions are bedroom suites, each with individual bath (one has a glass shower wall to the outdoors) and freestanding wardrobe cabinets designed by the architect. The loggia, which has a reading nook on one end and a study on the other, has an entirely different feel than the pavilions, thanks to heated fir floors, a beamed tongue-and-groove fir ceiling, plentiful fir-trimmed windows and partial walls. Two custom-made sliding barn doors allow parts of the loggia to be closed off.

The architect: David Coleman, who also designed many of the home's streamlined Scandinavian-influenced furnishings. Most important to him was creating a house that fit into the unique site - a boulder field on the lip of a gentle valley - offering vistas of cedar, fir, pine and madrona. "Part of the idea for the house was that since we have a lot of boulders, the walls are heavy cement stucco. The porch section (part of the fir-clad loggia) is designed to be like a forest." Overriding is a theme: "absolute simplicity."

The owners: Jonathan and Carole Buchter of Cleveland. The Buchters, who have relatives living nearby, had long owned their Orcas land and wanted a compact, low-maintenance getaway where they could simultaneously relax in solitude and entertain. Thus their original idea of not one house, but a cluster of separate buildings. Coleman convinced them "it would be far more expensive to construct four buildings than one, but he came close," says Jonathan Buchter. "A lot of what's in that house now is taking that concept to a different angle."

The contractor: Mark Edmonds.

Judges' comments: "The strength of this project lies in its site planning. The incorporation of site boulders into the paving/steps and rock garden form quite a tranquil approach to the modest abode which serves just fine as the owners' vacation retreat - a straight forward modular building."

Construction cost: $450,000.

Tour details: Open 1:30 to 6 p.m. today (Sunday) only.

Floor plans: See above.

Address: To find the house, which is on an unpaved private road off Deep Meadow Lane, follow Seattle Times signs or driving directions (below) from Orcas Island ferry terminal. Note: limited, free van service to the house will be available for walk-on passengers taking ferries leaving Anacortes at 12:10 or 3:25 p.m.

Driving directions: Take I-5 to Anacortes exit and follow signs to Anacortes ferry terminal. Take ferry to Orcas Island. From Orcas ferry landing go left onto Horseshoe Highway and go approximately 1 1/4 miles. Make a left onto Deer Harbor Road (see fire house just beyond turn on Horseshoe Highway). Road winds around field and forest and emerges at Deer Harbor (see boat yard on left). Continue straight at 3-way partial stop (see restaurant on right). Make right onto Cormorant Bay Road. Make second right onto Deep Meadow Lane. At the end of long flat section of road turn right (see sign: "Brogi"). Make first left into driveway and follow it up hill. Park in field and walk to house.

The Seattle Times/AIA Open House program began in 1954. All licensed architects are encouraged to submit their residential work for consideration. Nominees are reviewed by the Seattle Chapter, AIA Home of the Month Committee, which includes peers and non-architects. Call 206-448-4938.