GO'C wraps Iolair artist residence in stained cedar on Orcas Island
GO'C, an architecture firm based in Seattle, has finalized the construction of Iolair, a 1,600-square-foot facility on Orcas Island, Washington, commissioned by the Iolair Foundation. This building functions as a gallery, studio, and live-work area for an artist-in-residence. Situated in Eastsound on a former apple orchard, it connects a residential area with a commercial zone. The L-shaped structure features ebony-stained cedar siding alongside a white-stained wall. Inside, it comprises a gallery, loft, kitchen, bathrooms, and a sleeping area. A courtyard, accessible via a nine-foot galvanized steel gate designed by Zackarya Leck, showcases installations and sculptures, including a stone piece by Pete Welty. Plans for an additional building are underway. Photography by Kevin Scott.
Key facts
- GO'C designed a 1,600-square-foot building for Iolair on Orcas Island, Washington.
- The building serves as a gallery, studio, and live-work space for an artist-in-residence.
- It is located in Eastsound, the main village on Orcas Island, the largest of the San Juan Islands.
- The structure is clad in ebony-stained cedar planks with white-stained wood accents.
- A circular window on the northern end evokes an 'eagle's eye,' referencing Iolair's Gaelic meaning.
- Local artist Zackarya Leck designed a nine-foot-tall galvanised steel gate for the courtyard.
- Artist Pete Welty created a large stone sculpture that sits between the gallery and living quarters.
- A second building is planned for the eastern half of the site to form a creative enclave.
- The project was commissioned by Iolair, a newly established foundation.
- Photography is by Kevin Scott.
Entities
Artists
- Zackarya Leck
- Pete Welty
- Kevin Scott
Institutions
- GO'C
- Iolair
- Dezeen
- Swenson Say Fagét
- Bluebird Builders
Locations
- Orcas Island
- Washington
- United States
- Eastsound
- San Juan Islands
- Salish Sea
- Seattle
Sources
- Dezeen —