Located along a busy street in Seattle, the Maple Leaf Residence is conceived as a layered response to context, balancing exposure and privacy through massing, material, and sequence. The design acknowledges the varied character of the neighborhood while establishing a clear architectural language rooted in solidity and restraint.

The street-facing facade acts as a calibrated filter between public and private realms. Thickened wall conditions and a disciplined exterior palette create a sense of depth and protection, limiting direct views while allowing controlled light to enter the home. This idea of filtering extends beyond the facade and becomes a guiding principle throughout the project.

The entry sequence is carved into the mass and recessed between steel planes. The path slopes gently toward the door and shifts in alignment to preserve an existing evergreen tree, thereby reinforcing the relationship between the building and the site. A compressed entry condition gives way to a double-height living space on the second level, where volume and light are revealed in contrast.

Vertical circulation is defined by a series of perforated steel screens that enclose the stair while maintaining a visual connection between spaces. These elements operate simultaneously as guardrail, partition, and light filter, creating a layered spatial condition that changes throughout the day.