Project Description
The site for this residence is steeply sloping from the entry level to the terrace level at the rear of the house. The topography coursing perpendicular to this slope takes the shape of the letter “W”. This natural land form was used as a tool to designate the zoning of the house. This response to the natural topography minimized impact to the site, by simplifying excavation and sites the house with a sense of natural repose.
The volume of the house is compressed at the front door, and as one moves east, down the stairs into the living space, one experiences a release of this compression as the shed roof rises to clear the mountains and embrace the sky. This sensation is enhanced by the land falling away simultaneously, giving the outdoor decks a feeling of weightlessness as they float over the lower level. This effect is repeated in both the kitchen and master bedroom portions of the house.