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

Inspiration for a coastal gray one-story wood gable roof remodel in Seattle with a metal roof

Photo: Corynne Pless © 2013 Houzz
Example of a cottage kitchen design in New York with open cabinets and distressed cabinets

Inspiration for a cottage white three-story wood exterior home remodel in Chicago with a shingle roof

Seagate Roofing and Foundation Services and Owens Corning
Elegant exterior home photo in Other

Green roof in full sun is harder than in the shade. Sterilized shale is used here over slightly sloped rubber membrane with sedum plants plugged into shale and then watered with drip irrigation for first two summers depending on rain amount. Garden fence holds back deer, rabbits and ground hogs. Roof scuppers provide water to the butterfly garden. Raised beds mean less bending over and better weed control. tkd

Reverse Shed Eichler This project is part tear-down, part remodel. The original L-shaped plan allowed the living/ dining/ kitchen wing to be completely re-built while retaining the shell of the bedroom wing virtually intact. The rebuilt entertainment wing was enlarged 50% and covered with a low-slope reverse-shed roof sloping from eleven to thirteen feet. The shed roof floats on a continuous glass clerestory with eight foot transom. Cantilevered steel frames support wood roof beams with eaves of up to ten feet. An interior glass clerestory separates the kitchen and livingroom for sound control. A wall-to-wall skylight illuminates the north wall of the kitchen/family room. New additions at the back of the house add several “sliding” wall planes, where interior walls continue past full-height windows to the exterior, complimenting the typical Eichler indoor-outdoor ceiling and floor planes. The existing bedroom wing has been re-configured on the interior, changing three small bedrooms into two larger ones, and adding a guest suite in part of the original garage. A previous den addition provided the perfect spot for a large master ensuite bath and walk-in closet. Natural materials predominate, with fir ceilings, limestone veneer fireplace walls, anigre veneer cabinets, fir sliding windows and interior doors, bamboo floors, and concrete patios and walks. Landscape design by Bernard Trainor: www.bernardtrainor.com (see “Concrete Jungle” in April 2014 edition of Dwell magazine). Microsoft Media Center installation of the Year, 2008: www.cybermanor.com/ultimate_install.html (automated shades, radiant heating system, and lights, as well as security & sound).

Exterior South Elevation Sam Oberter Photography
Inspiration for a large timeless gray three-story vinyl exterior home remodel in New York with a mixed material roof

This gorgeous home sits atop a hill overlooking Lake Washington. The original roofline was flat and uninspired. Raising the roof over the main living area created a bright and spacious contemporary layout with a nod to its mid-century roots.

Photo: Corynne Pless © 2013 Houzz
Inspiration for a cottage white two-story wood exterior home remodel in New York

The front elevation makes use of many traditional cottage elements, combining steep roof lines with graceful curves. Clover windows and natural stone give a timeless feeling to the front. The metal roof reflects the sky, and softens the presence of the house. Photographer: Daniel Contelmo Jr.

Modern mountain aesthetic in this fully exposed custom designed ranch. Exterior brings together lap siding and stone veneer accents with welcoming timber columns and entry truss. Garage door covered with standing seam metal roof supported by brackets. Large timber columns and beams support a rear covered screened porch. (Ryan Hainey)

Mid-sized country white two-story concrete fiberboard and board and batten exterior home idea in Philadelphia with a mixed material roof and a gray roof

Seven standing seam metal roof gables rise above the level site Scott Bergmann Photography
Large country white three-story wood gable roof photo in Other with a mixed material roof

Angle Eye Photography
Inspiration for a huge timeless detached three-car garage remodel in Wilmington

Summer blooming perennials and ornamental grasses frame in the back yard. Design and photo by Bob Trainor
Greenhouse - large traditional detached greenhouse idea in Boston

Inspiration for a timeless beige two-story mixed siding house exterior remodel in Other with a hip roof and a shingle roof

Example of a large classic backyard patio design in New York with a pergola

The front porch of the existing house remained. It made a good proportional guide for expanding the 2nd floor. The master bathroom bumps out to the side. And, hand sawn wood brackets hold up the traditional flying-rafter eaves. Max Sall Photography