On what was once a horse farm now sits The Landing, an inviting family home designed for the clients to both gather and play. The house gives respite from the city on a secluded, elevated site in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. The yard serves as a natural playground for children, while decks and patios encourage outdoor recreation whenever possible. Picturesque views of the mountains to the East become the focal point for moments of contemplation and relaxation, as well as the backdrop for family functions.

A home built with children in mind, even the site and landscape invite play and exploration. The approach to the home from the road creates a sense of retreat from the outside world to become immersed in nature. The driveway windws up through a forested area, leading to the woodland landscape surrounding the front entry path. Preserving plant life and encouraging new growth was a priority in the design of the site plan, but there were a number of problems presented by the previously existing fram. Rubber mats from horse stalls littered the site, demanding clean up and revegetation. A concrete pad which had been used for composting was repurposed as a chicken coop with a vegetated roof, and an open meadow became the perfect place for backyard games. On the East side of the house, a large deck and partially covered, layered wood canopy form a connecting path to the garage and its guest suite. 

The Northern, more tree-sheltered side of The Landing serves as the formal front entry to the home. Two hallways run parallel on the outer edges of the floorplan, one being the entry hall and the other a separate mudroom. The mudroom was thoughtfully designed to accompany the Eastern deck, with benches and cubby storage. Spaces between the entry hall and mudroom house the majority of the utilities, including laundry, powder room, and a pantry. The second floor is completely dedicated to the children's bedrooms and play area, giving a feeling of independence and freedom in their space.

The entry hall and surrounding spaces flow perpendicular to the main East-West axis of the home, formed and framed by a double-height great room. The space is capped with sliding glass doors and clerestory windows on either end, giving sweeping views of the mountains to the East and meadow to the West. Almost entirely wood interiors exude warmth, and a locally-sourced stone fireplace becomes the centerpiece of the space. The combined living, dining, and kitchen areas boast Vertical Grain Fir walls, Beech cabinetry, and White Oak flooring. The living area overflows from interior to exterior with a covered patio on the West side. Separated from the public spaces, the master suite and office are on the South side of the great room. The sunrise awakens the clients from their bedroom to begin the day, and later, when the children are tucked away in their beds upstairs, the sunset can be enjoyed from the back porch.