Designing for the Collection: The Houses of Jim Olson

Seattle-based architect Jim Olson, the founding partner of Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects, is particularly known for his subtly elegant residences, from a glass farmhouse in eastern Oregon to a Balinese-inspired retreat in Hawaii, from a diminutive waterfront cabin for his own family to two grand art-filled residences on the shores of Lake Washington in Seattle. Modern in spirit, the luxurious houses are characterized by intangible qualities of light and space. Olson balances a deep knowledge of architectural history, from the temples of Egypt to the great buildings of the modern era, with a sensitivity to art and nature. Each work is carefully calibrated to site and client. Olson is fascinated by the relationship between art and architecture, and many of his houses and apartments have been designed for major art collectors. On the occasion of the publication of his monograph Jim Olson: Houses (Monacelli Press, 2009), Olson will discuss the particular concerns and considerations required for creating homes for both artwork and collectors.