Cross-Laminated Timber Berm House in Washington's Methow Valley

The Berm House is a private residence that doubles as the common house and gathering space for a 19 house mixed-income community in Washington’s Methow Valley. The house is set into the landscape, with a panoramic view of the farmland down valley, but hidden from the road by a berm that ramps up onto and across the roof. 

The south-facing building orientation optimizes winter solar exposure coupled with large overhangs to protect from snowfall and the intense summer sun. The home is post and beam structure with a cross-laminated timber (CLT) roof prefabricated in northeastern Washington. The design incorporates Passive House principles including managing seasonal heat gain from solar exposure, advanced air sealing, and mechanical ventilation. Thermal bridges are minimized by wrapping the house in continuous external insulation, including structural EPS under the foundation, isolating the home from outdoor temperature swings. The earthen roof adds thermal mass, wildfire protection, and a promontory to take in the down valley vista.

The great room portion of the house was designed for friends and neighbors to gather, share meals, and be a social center for the community. Off the great room, a five-foot wide hall leads to three guest suites and the primary suite. The uncomplicated and efficient floor plan shows a clear division between the private and public spaces. The mechanical room, pantry, storage, guest bath, and laundry spaces are arranged along the berm side of the house’s section.

The material palette is predominately warm woods. The CLT ceiling and glulam posts and beams were manufactured nearby, and a coffee table and kitchen bar were crafted locally from a fir tree felled on the property. The exterior employs the Japanese shou sugi ban preservation technique. The boulders throughout the site and as part of the berm were pulled from the site and placed by the owner. 

Team
Owner: Lee Whittaker
Methow Housing Trust
Architect: CAST architecture
Contractor: Methow Valley Builders 
CLT: Vaagen Timbers
Concrete subcontractor: JR’s Five Star Concrete
Geotechnical Engineering: GeoEngineers

See more here.

Edelweiss House in the Methow Valley

This home, on two acres, near Mazama in the Methow Valley, was sited to take maximum advantage of a south-facing orientation. Its horseshoe shape creates a courtyard between the wings of the home which is cooler in the summer and cozy with a fire pit in the winter. The home’s design highlights the indoor/outdoor relationship that characterizes Methow Valley life.

The twelve-foot-high bank of windows and NanaWall in the great room face southwest and provide transparency through the home, while framing valley and mountain views. The interior wood ceiling extends out through the overhang above the veranda, further drawing the eye out and bringing in the outdoors. The roof height was intentional, to protect from the summer heat, and allow winter sun in to warm up the space.

A centerline from the kitchen to the fireplace wall is a nod to formality. The chandelier anchors the space from either side patios and the kitchen/living room axis. The open kitchen, clad in local Douglas fir, was designed for those social interactions that happen best around food.

The primary bedroom wing includes one bedroom, bathroom, walk-in closet with laundry room and doggie bed, and connection to the outdoor dog run. Obscure glass and a built-in Douglas fir headboard create the shared wall with the bathroom, bringing in extra light to the spaces.

On the opposite side, the utility wing starts just off the kitchen with a pantry and food prep area. A multipurpose room includes space for a guest bedroom with Murphy bed and built-in cabinetry, an office, and a game area. The area can be separated by a pocketed curtain.

Photos: Andrew Giammarco

See Portrait Magazine’s feature on Edelweiss House here.

TEAM
Bjornsen Construction‎
Evans Concrete Construction
B&B Excavating
A & J Electric
NanaWall Systems
Harriott Valentine Engineers
Johnsen Steel Works
Sierra Pacific Windows

The straightforward roof design of this home is designed for its rugged environment in Washington’s Methow Valley. We kept it simple and avoided complex shapes—a roof that holds snow reduces the chance of slough off and provides an energy-saving bonus.

Deep eaves and generous covered walkways and entries help keep outdoor circulation free of ice, reduce shoveling, and simplify living.

Roof Design in snow country

Plan a simple, generous roof that will hold snow and cover outdoor walkways, entries, and deck areas.

-  A blanket of snow on the roof provides a free, insulating, energy-saving bonus.

-  A roof that holds snow reduces the chance of avalanche, creep, or slough off and minimizes chance of injury or damage to the structure.

-  Plan for the roof to cover four-season outdoor living areas.

-  Keep the roof simple—avoid complex shapes, valleys, and roof-to-wall intersections.

-  Avoid gutters as meltwater can create ice dams at eaves and accumulate in gutters resulting in maintenance issues.

-  Avoid skylights, and roof penetrations when possible. Roof vents, chimneys. and plumbing vents should account for snowpack.

Photos: Built Work Photography

SEATTLE architect MAXIMIZES lakefront SITE

This full renovation adds space to support dynamic family life—places to work, play, entertain, and exercise. Programmatic additions include a second-floor music room and a third-floor family/media area opening up through a ghost door to expansive views, a kitchenette, a small gym, an office, and a pocket art studio. A bright, double-volume wall of glass in the staircase seamlessly connects floors and is topped with a skylight.

The kitchen’s neutral palette includes soft-close, white oak cabinets with custom panel details, honed quartz countertops, and a solid surface backsplash. A landing on the second floor offers a special moment to enjoy the green roof, with abundant daylight from glazing and a skylight, before entering the music room.  Glazing and outdoor living spaces allow the architecture to feature the views of Lake Washington.

Interior Design: Hyde Evans Design
Built: Align Builds
Photos by: Andrew Giammarco

See more here.

this mercer island custom home brings in the outdoors

With neighbors close by, this home on Mercer Island is organized into two solid masses flanking a glass box that acts as the gathering area. An open staircase ties the levels together and a bridge links bedrooms upstairs and allows for a vantage point to the living room below and the backyard tree canopy. With glass doors and large stacked windows, the main gathering area is linked to the outdoor patio and beyond to the forested green space. The exterior materials are accentuated by wrapping into interior spaces. The dining room, kitchen, and large walk-in pantry offer intimate spaces, with a strong connection to the two-story living space. The pantry, with plentiful storage, can be closed off from the open kitchen and casual eating area.

See more in the Homes section of our website.

Photos by: Andrew Giammarco