Some architects design beautiful homes. Others change the way you look at architecture altogether.
For me, Tom Kundig is firmly in the second category.
I’ve admired his work for years, so when Phaidon recently released Tom Kundig: Complete Houses, I immediately ordered a copy. The book spans decades of residential projects and serves as a reminder of why Kundig has become one of the most influential voices in modern architecture.
As I was flipping through the book, I found myself thinking about something I’ve noticed over the years: the best architecture is often recognizable before you know who designed it.
That happened recently when a waterfront home in Laurelhurst came on the market. I was scrolling through the photos and immediately stopped. The way the home engaged the site. The connection to the water. The clean, purposeful lines. Before I even opened the listing details, I found myself thinking, this feels like a Kundig house.
Sure enough, it was.
That’s what I appreciate most about his work. Not that every project looks the same, but that each one feels deeply connected to its surroundings. The homes are modern and bold, yet remarkably livable. They never feel designed simply for the sake of being noticed.
Living and working in Seattle, we’re fortunate to see architecture like this in our own backyard. Whether it’s a new monograph on my coffee table or a remarkable home coming to market, Kundig’s work continues to remind me that great design is ultimately about creating places people want to live—not just admire.
Further Reading:
• Wallpaper’s feature on Tom Kundig: Complete Houses
• Phaidon’s Tom Kundig: Complete Houses
• The Laurelhurst waterfront residence currently offered for sale
