- Project: The Trailblazer House
- Architect: Citizen Design
- Location: United States, Maple Valley, Washington
- Year: 2023
- Area: 427 m2
- Photography: Andrew Storey
The Trailblazer House by Citizen Design
Nestled on an expansive 18-acre property in Maple Valley, Washington, The Trailblazer House is a striking contemporary residence designed by Citizen Design. Completed in 2023, the home is envisioned as a modern family retreat that balances privacy, connection, and integration with nature.
Defined by four separate gabled volumes, the home’s distinctive form is clad in Shou Sugi Ban wood siding and black corrugated metal, contrasting beautifully with the surrounding trees and wetlands. Light-filled breezeways link the structures, echoing the sensation of walking through the woods as one moves between spaces.
A Home Shaped by Lifestyle and Landscape
The Trailblazer House was designed around the owners’ family life and personal style. Each volume was carefully programmed to serve a distinct function:
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Central Volume: The heart of the home, featuring the living room, dining room, and kitchen. Large sliding doors open to a creek-side terrace, shaded by a louvered pergola for year-round outdoor living.
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Primary Suite Volume: A secluded retreat to the left of the entry, offering privacy, tranquility, and direct access to landscaped walking paths.
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Family Wing: A cozy, intimate space with a records room, fireplace, and pocketing glass doors that open to the outdoor living area. Upstairs, the children enjoy a dedicated play and gathering space near their bedrooms.
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Garage & Hobby Shop: The fourth gabled form, designed as a functional and creative extension of the home.
This organization ensures a balance of intimate family areas and expansive social spaces, while maintaining strong connections to the outdoors.
Architecture and Materiality
The home’s bold design emphasizes durability and low-maintenance living. Its materials include:
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Shou Sugi Ban siding for warmth and resilience.
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Black corrugated metal for contrast and modernity.
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2Stone concrete tiles for texture and permanence.
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Polished concrete floors with radiant heating for comfort and efficiency.
The interiors feature a minimal, timeless palette with White Oak ceilings and cabinetry by Bellmont Cabinets, Dekton Ultracompact Stone countertops, and board-form concrete tiles, ensuring elegance without excess.
A Flow Between Indoors and Outdoors
The Trailblazer House embraces the Pacific Northwest landscape through transparency and connection. Large glass doors and windows frame views of the creek, while breezeways and terraces extend the living experience outdoors. The Struxure pergola system above the terrace allows natural light and ventilation to be adjusted throughout the year, making the outdoor living area as functional as the interiors.
A Family-Centered Contemporary Retreat
The Trailblazer House demonstrates Citizen Design’s commitment to functional, sustainable, and beautiful family architecture. With its gabled forms, natural materials, and integration into the landscape, it creates a modern sanctuary where every member of the family can find privacy, connection, and inspiration.
