The Pacific Northwest is renowned for its natural beauty, ...
with its snow-capped mountains, towering evergreens and mighty rivers. The Columbia Gorge region exemplifies this and thus provides the ideal location for a truly special home that is not only inspired by this environment, but indeed embraces all that is special about this area. (Click on photo at left to see balcony view)
Conceived in 2003, this home was planned, designed and constructed under the concept of using materials of local origin. From the Columbia Gorge Basalt veneer on the foundation, to the Douglas Fir timbers, to the Western Red Cedar siding and decks, to the Northern Maple flooring, the common theme was to convey the idea that the materials for this project had been milled, mined, quarried or otherwise obtained from local sources. Other details and design elements strive to combine the best of both traditional and contemporary methods and materials. Sometimes referred to as 'Contemporary Craftsman', the architecture blends several styles including Alpine, Arts & Crafts, Craftsman, and Contemporary that both functions beautifully, and is aesthetically pleasing.
Located a quick 65 miles east of Portland, Oregon in the quaint, but vibrant town of Hood River, this home offers a smorgasbord of all that is the Northwest. Panoramic and unmitigated views of the Columbia river, Mt. Adams, and the Underwood hills are but just one of the delights of this home. Hood River, historically a community based on agriculture and timber, is enjoying a renaissance as a tourist destination for a wide variety of interests. It is probably most well-known as the mecca for wind surfers, as folks from literally all over the world flock there during the summer months to avail themselves of conditions that are near constant. There is quite a burgeoning interest as well in agri-tourism, including wineries, orchards, farms, ranches and nurseries. Outdoor activities abound. There is a large following among bicycle enthusiasts, both on and off-road, and cyclists in their bright garb are a common sight. Fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, canoeing, kayaking are all very popular. Power-sports too are popular with many. Four-wheelers, dirt bikes and snowmobiles can be seen regularly in the surrounding hills depending on the season. Oregon's highest peak, Mt. Hood is 30 miles south of town and offers skiers and snowboarders some of the best conditions in the Northwest. Annual snowfall regularly exceeds 400 inches and is not unusual to have more than 5 feet still on the ground in May! There are a wide variety of restaurants, cafes, coffee houses and bars from which to partake, and many, if not most, emphasize local products & produce. There are 3 major coffee roasters and 3 significant micro-breweries from which to choose in town. Full Sail, the largest of the breweries, markets their tasty products all across the U.S.
The house itself was built over 2004/2005 on a steep city lot about 12 easy-walking blocks from downtown Hood River. The seeming difficult lot conditions provided unique and interesting challenges for the architect. There were dual objectives of designing a home that both utilized the best feature, the view, and created maximum value for the owner. It also had to have a sense of permanence, or "look like it belonged there." These had to coincide with stringent land use and zoning regulations.While great projects are never easy, the final result is an out-of-park home run. The combined efforts of architect, engineer, builder and project manager arguably produced one of the most spectacular and talked about residences in town.
The 30-foot elevation difference from the back to the front of the lot presented perhaps the most formidable challenge for a single family residence, especially since a two-car garage and driveway were necessary. However, it also invited a unique and creative solution. It was determined that by using a detached garage, a city right-of-way located on the south property line of the lot could be used for driveway access. This in turn allowed the house itself to be located 20 feet further north on the property, and using the height guidelines in force at the time, permitted the construction of a home that will have unmitigated views in perpetuity. This also allowed the building to project out of the hill, which while complicating the engineering and foundation, greatly eased the excavation and resulted in a building that "sits taller" and looks more dramatic. Also, locating the garage structure to the rear of the main house produced the dual benefit of it not having be the focal point of the front of the house, and enabling the construction of additional guest quarters over the same garage footprint.
Both structures were constructed to an extremely high standard, far beyond any existing code. One might say they are over-engineered, but with an emphasis on overall product quality, absolutely no short cuts were taken in the construction of this home. The builders are local gentlemen who typically take on only one project per year, ensuring total dedication and quality control to their project. The owner/project manager is in the building materials business and indeed specified virtually all of the products used for the project. Starting with the foundation, there were over 70 yards of concrete placed, more than twice the amount ordinarily used for a house this size. Douglas Fir post and beam construction form the underpinnings of the house itself, providing solid support and dramatic visual effect as well. The use of modern wood I-joists permitted long spans that enabled larger rooms without partition walls. The use of stainless steel plates and fasteners as a structural and architectural detail enhances both the integrity and visual appeal as well. The basalt stone veneer gives the foundation and retaining walls a sense of gravitas and permanence. The copper vents, flashings and downspouts offer a further sense of cost-is-no-object quality. Clever details such as hidden gutters and stainless cable railings add architectural interest as well as abject functionality. The use of genuine Western Red Cedar for both the siding and deck surfaces, as well as the exterior door and window casings, and fascias are yet further evidence of the unwavering commitment to quality and long-term durability.
The quality continues inside as well. All of the doors are solid Douglas Fir and Hemlock. All of the interior millwork is solid Douglas Fir. The main floor is solid 3/4" Northern Maple, installed unfinished in the traditional fashion of blind nailing, then sanding & finishing in place. The basalt fireplace is both gas and wood-burning, and can be sealed if desired, requiring no inside air for combustion. The solid Douglas Fir timber mantle and solid granite hearth make dramatic focal points.
Solid granite is featured on all kitchen and bath counter surfaces, and contrasts nicely with the natural maple cabinetry. The entry areas are genuine slate. The floor, shower and tub surround areas of the bathrooms are high-quality commercial-grade fired porcelain tile. The designer plumbing fixtures are all Moen as are the towel bars, rings, hooks and tissue holders. The stainless kitchen sinks are Moen also. The vitreous china sinks, toilets and the cast iron bathtubs in the bathrooms are all Kohler. The 80 gallon soaking tub in the master bath suite is also Kohler and has its own dedicated hot water heater. The bath floors have electric radiant heat. The tub and shower doors are heavy 3/8" glass and nickel-trimmed. The lighting throughout the house is stainless and/or nickel, as is all of the door hardware and hinges. The views from the master suite and the guest apartment have the same spectacular views as the great room. The house is digitally climate-controlled, using a Rheem HVAC system (forced air gas for heat). Soaring in places to more than 14', all of the ceilings are at least 10 feet high, giving a larger sense of space. The rooms all feel large without being cavernous.
The 1-bedroom guest apartment is similarly appointed with the same materials as the main house.
It genuinely feels like an extension of the house and not merely an afterthought.
The garage is fully insulated, drywall-ed and ready for vehicles, storage or shop work.
The property is tastefully landscaped and fenced, and includes timer-controlled sprinklers and drip irrigation. As with the other design details, the tumbled paver stone driveway and patio again remind of the intentional and inherent quality built into this home.
Nothing was left to chance, and every detail was painstakingly planned and implemented. This home needs nothing save for the discriminating owner who expects the best and is unwilling to settle for less.
Presented by: Jane Parker at Don Nunamaker, REALTORS®
Phone (Direct): - 541-387-6568 or 1-800-544-1930, Ext. #6568
Email: janeparker@gorge.net
