Blue Bird Builders assists in creating a multi-use artist building for secluded Washington island

by | Oct 19, 2026

GO’C creates multi-use artist building for secluded Washington Island

Stained cedar planks wrap a small building in the Pacific Northwest that Seattle architecture studio GO’C created for arts foundation Iolair as a gallery and live-work space for an artist-in-residence.
The building is located in Eastsound, the main village on Orcas Island – the largest of the San Juan Islands in the Salish Sea. The secluded island is reached by boat or plane.

GO’C has completed a studio in the San Juan Islands

Totalling 1,600 square feet (149 square metres), the building contains a gallery that doubles as a studio and living quarters for an artist-in-residence.

The project was commissioned by Iolair, a newly established foundation that brings artists from around the world to Orcas Island to live, work and share their creations. The artists are meant to draw inspiration from the island’s “landscape and spirit”.

Read the full article here: https://www.dezeen.com/2026/08/10/goc-orcas-island-washington-iolair-studio/