The Mazama house is located in the Methow Valley of Washington State, a secluded mountain valley on the eastern edge of the North Cascades, about 200 miles northeast of Seattle. The house has been carefully placed in a copse of trees at the easterly end of a large meadow. Two major building volumes indicate the house organization. A grounded 2-story bedroom wing anchors a raised living pavilion that is lifted off the ground by a series of exposed steel columns. Seen from the access road, the large meadow in front of the house continues right under the main living space, making the living pavilion into a kind of bridge structure spanning over the meadow grass, with the house touching the ground lightly on six steel columns. The raised floor level provides enhanced views as well as keeping the main living level well above the 3-4 feet of winter snow accumulation that is typical for the upper Methow Valley. To further emphasize the idea of lightness, the exposed wood structure of the living pavilion roof changes pitch along its length, so the roof warps upward at each end. The interior exposed wood beams appear like an unfolding fan as the roof pitch changes. The main interior bearing columns are steel with a tapered “V”-shape, recalling the lightness of a dancer. The house reflects the continuing FINNE investigation into the idea of crafted modernism, with cast bronze inserts at the front door, variegated laser-cut steel railing panels, a curvilinear cast-glass kitchen counter, waterjet-cut aluminum light fixtures, and many custom furniture pieces. The house interior has been designed to be completely integral with the exterior. The living pavilion contains more than twelve pieces of custom furniture and lighting, creating a totality of the designed environment that recalls the idea of Gesamtkunstverk, as seen in the work of Josef Hoffman and the Viennese Secessionist movement in the early 20th century. The house has been designed from the start as a sustainable structure, with 40% higher insulation values than required by code, radiant concrete slab heating, efficient natural ventilation, large amounts of natural lighting, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and locally sourced materials. Windows have high-performance LowE insulated glazing and are equipped with concealed shades. A radiant hydronic heat system with exposed concrete floors allows lower operating temperatures and higher occupant comfort levels. The concrete slabs conserve heat and provide great warmth and comfort for the feet. Deep roof overhangs, built-in shades and high operating clerestory windows are used to reduce heat gain in summer months. During the winter, the lower sun angle is able to penetrate into living spaces and passively warm the exposed concrete floor. Low VOC paints and stains have been used throughout the house. The high level of craft evident in the house reflects another key principle of sustainable design: build it well and make it last for many years! Photo by Benjamin Benschneider

Tricia Shay Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary concrete floor and brown floor great room remodel in Milwaukee with a two-sided fireplace and white walls

Photos by Jeff Fountain
Inspiration for a rustic concrete floor hallway remodel in Seattle with brown walls

A concrete garden wall serves as a planter and provides privacy to the interior courtyard from the street. Photographer: Greg Thomas, http://optphotography.com/

Photography By Joe Dodd
Photo of a large contemporary backyard gravel landscaping in San Francisco with a fire pit.

Mid-century concrete patio. A colorful orange feature wall, concrete planter and bench with removable wood slat seat.
Example of a 1950s concrete patio design in Seattle with a fire pit and no cover

A raised garden bed constructed of sand-finished concrete, and filled with herbs and flowers; perfect for this compact backyard patio.
Inspiration for a small modern full sun courtyard concrete paver vegetable garden landscape in Other.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary front yard concrete paver driveway in Houston.

Bamboo privacy screen, built-in in-ground hot tub, built-in seating, cedar arbor, concrete herb garden, concrete planters, contemporary landscape, custom spa, fire feature, firepit, herb garden, hot tub, LED lighting, modern landscape, modern outdoor living, outdoor lighting, outdoor living space, smaller landscape space Be Burke Photography

The new entrance features an illuminated house number sign on a pier planter, concrete steps with concrete paver walkways and linear planting beds with blue fescue grass.

CAST architecture
Small contemporary brown one-story metal exterior home idea in Seattle with a shed roof

Custom concrete shower shelves were added to the shower wall to bring interest to an otherwise large and vacant surface and provide additional areas for bathing products, candles or decor. Photography by Paul Linnebach

Fu-Tung Cheng, CHENG Design • Interior View of Front Pivot Door and 12" thick concrete wall, House 6 concrete and wood home House 6, is Cheng Design’s sixth custom home project, was redesigned and constructed from top-to-bottom. The project represents a major career milestone thanks to the unique and innovative use of concrete, as this residence is one of Cheng Design’s first-ever ‘hybrid’ structures, constructed as a combination of wood and concrete. Photography: Matthew Millman

APLD 2021 Silver Award Winning Landscape Design. Painted galvanized troughs used for vegetables in the side yard. An expansive back yard landscape with several mature oak trees and a stunning Golden Locust tree has been transformed into a welcoming outdoor retreat. The renovations include a wraparound deck, an expansive travertine natural stone patio, stairways and pathways along with concrete retaining walls and column accents with dramatic planters. The pathways meander throughout the landscape... some with travertine stepping stones and gravel and those below the majestic oaks left natural with fallen leaves. Raised vegetable beds and fruit trees occupy some of the sunniest areas of the landscape. A variety of low-water and low-maintenance plants for both sunny and shady areas include several succulents, grasses, CA natives and other site-appropriate Mediterranean plants complimented by a variety of boulders. Dramatic white pots provide architectural accents, filled with succulents and citrus trees. Design, Photos, Drawings © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Photo of a mid-sized traditional front yard concrete paver driveway in Houston.

This Brooklyn NYC townhouse rear yard landscape with out door dining, custom horizontal fence, Deck, Planter box and plantings with evergreen trees. This NYC Spring garden with drip irrigation systems and landscape light make it more beautiful. For more New York Plantings Garden Designers and Landscape contracting 432 E 14st New York, NY 10009 Call: 347-558-7051 site url: http://www.newyorkplantings.com/Home.php info@newyorkplantings.com

Fossil Grey Texture 12”x24” – Exterior Balcony Floors (360 sq. ft) Architect: Eisner Design LLC Find a Porcelanosa Showroom near you today: http://www.porcelanosa-usa.com/home/locations.aspx

the bamboo is a clumping variety called Bambusa eutuldoides viridi-vittata , Asian lemon bamboo. This variety is a clumper and you do not need to contain it, however, do allow an 8'by 10' area for its ultimate growth. Bamboo does require constant maintenance and you will need to do some research for the specific variety you choose. Once planted, it will become a beautiful focal point and add a stunning tropical accent. Photo Credit: Sherwood Cox

Tricia Shay Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary wooden straight open and cable railing staircase remodel in Milwaukee