What began as a three-story, 1000 sq.ft. tower, developed into a unique blend of wood and glass that shelters the family and provides extensive views of the forest and fields. The house was essentially gutted on the first and second floors, and the exterior skin was shed to expose the “bones” of the structure. An entirely new plan of 1900 sq.ft. was created to accommodate the owners’ ideal living patterns and embrace both the sunlight and the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Even during the gray, wet winters of Oregon, the expansive windows in the open volumes virtually eliminate the need for electric lighting during the daytime. These windows, along with the home’s orientation on the site, allow the building to capture enough solar energy to heat the house for most of the day. The natural warmth of the cedar siding is enhanced by the light that pours in through the wall of windows that soars to heights of 20 feet in the living room and loft. Openings in the living room wall behind the wood stove and in the stairwell allow heat to move vertically throughout the home. 
A new stairway provides a link between the home’s original footprint and the new addition. With windows on three sides, the ascending stair is focused on a fir tree to the east, giving the feeling as though one is climbing the tree.

The exquisite craftsmanship by the owner, who was trained as a boat builder, was essential to the beauty and quality of the finished product. Natural materials, including the slate entry floor, cork kitchen floor, and maple panels in the living room and loft, were used throughout the home.