This Washington hillside home was designed in perfect harmony with the forest

Prentiss Balance Wickline Architects are responsible for the design of this hillside home, built in perfect harmony with the forest in Mazama, Washington. Encompassing 2,400 square feet of living space, this modern refuge nestles comfortably on a forested slope strewn with enormous boulders. The homeowners entrusted the architects with their dream of a relaxing home for an active family of five.

For their first meeting, one of the owners shared a sketch of a U-shaped floor plan that literally hugged the largest, most prominent boulder. Although practicalities intervened, embracing the boulder was the inspiration for the design, and they kept it top of mind as the project developed.

Material Sources

Kebony timber (authentic, durable, and sustainably treated wood for terraces, decks, and façades).
Heath Tile
Sierra Pacific Windows
Taylor Metal

The site was very challenging. Long and narrow, it offered only one place to situate a house, and the footprint could not be large. Fitting an easily accessible garage on the steep site proved difficult. Eventually, the architects landed on the idea of tucking a one-car garage beneath the main living space and raising the main floor to take advantage of the level area at the brow of the slope.

Outdoor Living Spaces That Blur the Line Between Inside and Out

The house climbs the hill over three different levels: the garage/daylight basement level, a bedroom wing, and the main kitchen/living/dining wing, which opens on the east to a patio at the big boulder and on the west to a deck jutting out into the forest canopy.

Conceptually, each wing is defined by a wood-clad, shed-roofed volume. Oriented perpendicularly to each other, the two wings form an L-shape and are held together by a glass and steel-clad gasket space, containing a light-filled entry and staircase as well as a charming, Douglas fir-lined nook known as the “nap room.”

A Light-Filled Entry

The palette of materials is subdued, but warm and natural. Concrete, untreated steel, Douglas fir trim and surfaces, and simple white walls serve as the backdrop to the forest views and soft greens of tile, light fixtures, and furnishings.

As the house took shape in framing, it became a relief for the architects to see that it indeed hugged the boulder, though not quite as tightly as in the original sketch. The homeowners were ecstatic to see their vision brought to life.

What We Love About This Home

This modern hillside home sits beautifully within its forested Washington setting, with warm Douglas fir surfaces and natural materials that feel completely at home among the boulders and trees. We love how the L-shaped design wraps around the landscape rather than imposing on it,  especially the glass-lined entry that connects the two wings and frames the hillside beyond. The thoughtful details throughout, from the bold yellow front door to the Douglas fir nap room, make this a home that is as livable and personal as it is architecturally refined.

Tell Us: What do you think of the design of this modern hillside house? Would you love to call this forested Washington retreat home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below. We love reading your feedback!

Note: Be sure to check out a couple of other fabulous home tours that we have highlighted here on One Kindesign in the state of Washington: Modern hillside home showcases a relaxed vibe on Bainbridge Island and Amazing Washington forest house with a steel tower office on train tracks.

An Open Living and Dining Room Built Around Forest Views

Above: The windows throughout this home were sourced from Sierra Pacific Windows.

A Warm Modern Kitchen With Natural Wood Cabinets

Above: In the kitchen, the backsplash tile was sourced from Heath Tile.

An Owner’s Bedroom Suite With Forest Views

A Kid’s Bedroom With Custom Steel Bunk Beds

The Cozy Douglas Fir-Lined “Nap Room”

Dusk Exteriors Reveal the Home’s Glowing Warmth

Floor Plans of This Hillside House

PHOTOGRAPHER Andrew Pogue