Seattle Backyard Music Studio

Tucked into the backyard of a 1920s Seattle bungalow, this 300-square-foot ground-up build serves as a private creative sanctuary for a pair of professional musicians. The project demanded a delicate balance: honoring the heritage of the primary home and neighborhood while creating a cozy light-filled acoustic environment.

Designed to mirror the original 1920s home, the exterior features period-accurate siding and trim details, allowing it to read as a classic detached garage. To maximize the utility of the backyard, the exterior also incorporates garden tool storage and a dedicated potting station for the family. Inside, the "garage" exterior gives way to a voluminous, light-filled creative suite.

Key design features include:
Acoustic Artistry: Walls are finished in a custom hand-applied gray plaster, providing a soft, tactile aesthetic that grounds the space.
Volumetric Design: A vaulted ceiling paired with strategically placed skylights, ensures the studio is flooded with natural light during daytime sessions.
Custom Millwork: Deep-hued painted built-ins provide organization for gear, while a custom loft with a rolling library ladder offers additional storage.
Creative Versatility: The open-concept floor plan was engineered specifically for a seamless workflow between live instrument tracking and digital mixing.

This project showcases our firm’s ability to deliver specialized spaces within a sensitive historical context.

Photography: Alessandra Brescia