Columbia River Residence

Columbia River Residence

The home sits on a 1.75 acre site along the Columbia River- one of the few remaining in this area that has remained wooded and much in its natural riparian condition. Most of the site is dedicated to existing wetlands and a wetland mitigation buffer, leaving a relative small building site near the river bank but maintaining the required setback.

The house was designed to connect, in a powerful way, the daily life of a retired couple, to the life of the river and the natural rhythm and setting and around them. Built in the 100-year flood plain, the living area of the house is spread out on one level, elevated on concrete piers approximately 6 feet above the natural grade below. The house is organization of the house is generated from the lifestyle of the residents and is expressed in the form of the building. A “great room” was created at the center of the plan expressed in a shed roof form that extend up and out towards the river beyond. Clad in standing-seam metal, it is the only portion of the building that extends to and below grade to allow for a garage.