Perched atop a bluff north of Parkville, Missouri, this contemporary home is carefully sited to take advantage of its spectacular setting. Soaring roof planes supported by exposed timber beams provide shelter and cedar lap siding creates striking horizontal lines, distinguishing the house from its natural setting. Curving cantilevered decks and a sunroom link the interior spaces to the outdoors while minimizing the footprint of the building. The interior features an open plan with a loft office and guest quarters that have panoramic views of the Missouri River valley. The loft and connecting stair are lined with custom steel and wood rails hand-crafted by the homeowner. The great room is anchored at one end with a dramatic see-through brick and limestone fireplace and balanced at the other end with a distinctive light fixture hovering above the dining room table.