Eric Roth Photography
Example of a farmhouse open concept and formal light wood floor living room design in Boston with white walls, a wood stove and no tv

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 NIls Finne

Headwaters Park Public Event Space. Highlight The combination of Hebel (Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) walls, an exposed structural steel roof system, and bespoke craftsmanship makes for a very interesting building. The individual spaces within the structure are striking in themselves, but we think the integration of form and function in the building as a whole makes it a unique and successful project. Detail This building serves as the main event and meeting space in Headwaters Park, which is just outside Lewisburg WV and is a project of the WV nonprofit Appalachian Headwaters. The main building is an 8500 sq ft single level structure with an expansive exterior flagstone patio. We designed and constructed the building, and also built the hardscape and water feature. Allegheny Design Services from Morgantown WV performed the structural engineering and we worked with Cole Burrell of Charlottesville VA for the landscaping design. The interior of the building contains quite a few interesting features and spaces. The main event space is about 3000 sq ft, and is connected to a commercial kitchen. Custom copper light fixtures were built by Molly Must, a local artist. There are also custom wooden light fixtures in the hallways and conference room, built by local woodworker Ryan Brady. We built wooden sound dampening panels to improve acoustic quality in a few of the large rooms. The building is heated with an in slab hydronic radiant system powered by a geothermal heat pump. In-floor radiant is one of the most comfortable ways to heat a building and when combined with a geothermal heat pump, is highly efficient. The building is also designed for passive solar heat gain in the wintertime, with large south facing windows. We added awnings on the south and west sides of the building to prevent overheating from the sun in the summer. A 90 kW rooftop PV solar system will provide most of the electricity consumed by the building, if not all of it. We’re hoping that the project ends up being net zero or better - we’ll know after a full year of electric bills. It’s a grid tied system, so any excess electricity produced will be sent into the grid. The building is fully electric - HVAC, water heating, and the commercial kitchen are all propane/natural gas free. For more information about Appalachian Headwaters and Headwaters Park, please visit their website at: https://appheadwaters.org

This birch kitchen features Galleria Custom cabinets in the Monarch door style with a Sugar White Enamel finish and a Light Veniziano granite countertop.

This birch kitchen features Galleria Custom cabinets in the Monarch door style with a Sugar White Enamel finish and a Light Veniziano granite countertop.

This birch kitchen features Galleria Custom cabinets in the Monarch door style with a Sugar White Enamel finish and a Light Veniziano granite countertop.

Headwaters Park Public Event Space. Highlight The combination of Hebel (Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) walls, an exposed structural steel roof system, and bespoke craftsmanship makes for a very interesting building. The individual spaces within the structure are striking in themselves, but we think the integration of form and function in the building as a whole makes it a unique and successful project. Detail This building serves as the main event and meeting space in Headwaters Park, which is just outside Lewisburg WV and is a project of the WV nonprofit Appalachian Headwaters. The main building is an 8500 sq ft single level structure with an expansive exterior flagstone patio. We designed and constructed the building, and also built the hardscape and water feature. Allegheny Design Services from Morgantown WV performed the structural engineering and we worked with Cole Burrell of Charlottesville VA for the landscaping design. The interior of the building contains quite a few interesting features and spaces. The main event space is about 3000 sq ft, and is connected to a commercial kitchen. Custom copper light fixtures were built by Molly Must, a local artist. There are also custom wooden light fixtures in the hallways and conference room, built by local woodworker Ryan Brady. We built wooden sound dampening panels to improve acoustic quality in a few of the large rooms. The building is heated with an in slab hydronic radiant system powered by a geothermal heat pump. In-floor radiant is one of the most comfortable ways to heat a building and when combined with a geothermal heat pump, is highly efficient. The building is also designed for passive solar heat gain in the wintertime, with large south facing windows. We added awnings on the south and west sides of the building to prevent overheating from the sun in the summer. A 90 kW rooftop PV solar system will provide most of the electricity consumed by the building, if not all of it. We’re hoping that the project ends up being net zero or better - we’ll know after a full year of electric bills. It’s a grid tied system, so any excess electricity produced will be sent into the grid. The building is fully electric - HVAC, water heating, and the commercial kitchen are all propane/natural gas free. For more information about Appalachian Headwaters and Headwaters Park, please visit their website at: https://appheadwaters.org

Headwaters Park Public Event Space. Highlight The combination of Hebel (Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) walls, an exposed structural steel roof system, and bespoke craftsmanship makes for a very interesting building. The individual spaces within the structure are striking in themselves, but we think the integration of form and function in the building as a whole makes it a unique and successful project. Detail This building serves as the main event and meeting space in Headwaters Park, which is just outside Lewisburg WV and is a project of the WV nonprofit Appalachian Headwaters. The main building is an 8500 sq ft single level structure with an expansive exterior flagstone patio. We designed and constructed the building, and also built the hardscape and water feature. Allegheny Design Services from Morgantown WV performed the structural engineering and we worked with Cole Burrell of Charlottesville VA for the landscaping design. The interior of the building contains quite a few interesting features and spaces. The main event space is about 3000 sq ft, and is connected to a commercial kitchen. Custom copper light fixtures were built by Molly Must, a local artist. There are also custom wooden light fixtures in the hallways and conference room, built by local woodworker Ryan Brady. We built wooden sound dampening panels to improve acoustic quality in a few of the large rooms. The building is heated with an in slab hydronic radiant system powered by a geothermal heat pump. In-floor radiant is one of the most comfortable ways to heat a building and when combined with a geothermal heat pump, is highly efficient. The building is also designed for passive solar heat gain in the wintertime, with large south facing windows. We added awnings on the south and west sides of the building to prevent overheating from the sun in the summer. A 90 kW rooftop PV solar system will provide most of the electricity consumed by the building, if not all of it. We’re hoping that the project ends up being net zero or better - we’ll know after a full year of electric bills. It’s a grid tied system, so any excess electricity produced will be sent into the grid. The building is fully electric - HVAC, water heating, and the commercial kitchen are all propane/natural gas free. For more information about Appalachian Headwaters and Headwaters Park, please visit their website at: https://appheadwaters.org

This birch kitchen features Galleria Custom cabinets in the Monarch door style with a Sugar White Enamel finish and a Light Veniziano granite countertop.

Mohawk Prismatic Saratoga Multi -When it comes to color, the sky is no longer the limit with the debut of Mohawk's new Prismatic Collection. Different from traditional printed area rugs, this innovative new technology is ideal for crafting small batch collections with literally limitless color possibilities. Now, your floral area rug can bloom with the perfect palette, just as nature intended! Each original creation of the Prismatic Collection features innovative Precision Dye Injected technology, a plush base tufted with our exclusive ecofriendly EverStrand fiber, a premium recycled polyester yarn. EverStrand yarn is easy on the eyes and created from recycled post-consumer plastic water bottles. While EverStrand is renowned for its sensuously soft touch, this silky fiber also offers superior strength stain resistance, dependable durability and an illustrious color clarity. Refreshing and radiant colors come to life through a subtle light catching sheen that is inherent to the luxurious yarn.

Headwaters Park Public Event Space. Highlight The combination of Hebel (Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) walls, an exposed structural steel roof system, and bespoke craftsmanship makes for a very interesting building. The individual spaces within the structure are striking in themselves, but we think the integration of form and function in the building as a whole makes it a unique and successful project. Detail This building serves as the main event and meeting space in Headwaters Park, which is just outside Lewisburg WV and is a project of the WV nonprofit Appalachian Headwaters. The main building is an 8500 sq ft single level structure with an expansive exterior flagstone patio. We designed and constructed the building, and also built the hardscape and water feature. Allegheny Design Services from Morgantown WV performed the structural engineering and we worked with Cole Burrell of Charlottesville VA for the landscaping design. The interior of the building contains quite a few interesting features and spaces. The main event space is about 3000 sq ft, and is connected to a commercial kitchen. Custom copper light fixtures were built by Molly Must, a local artist. There are also custom wooden light fixtures in the hallways and conference room, built by local woodworker Ryan Brady. We built wooden sound dampening panels to improve acoustic quality in a few of the large rooms. The building is heated with an in slab hydronic radiant system powered by a geothermal heat pump. In-floor radiant is one of the most comfortable ways to heat a building and when combined with a geothermal heat pump, is highly efficient. The building is also designed for passive solar heat gain in the wintertime, with large south facing windows. We added awnings on the south and west sides of the building to prevent overheating from the sun in the summer. A 90 kW rooftop PV solar system will provide most of the electricity consumed by the building, if not all of it. We’re hoping that the project ends up being net zero or better - we’ll know after a full year of electric bills. It’s a grid tied system, so any excess electricity produced will be sent into the grid. The building is fully electric - HVAC, water heating, and the commercial kitchen are all propane/natural gas free. For more information about Appalachian Headwaters and Headwaters Park, please visit their website at: https://appheadwaters.org

This birch kitchen features Galleria Custom cabinets in the Monarch door style with a Sugar White Enamel finish and a Light Veniziano granite countertop.