Houzz Tour: Contemporary Oregon Home Connects With Life on the River
Architects carefully nestle this home within its narrow waterfront site, while paying attention to details and materials inside
Becky Harris
July 1, 2016
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
These homeowners wanted their home on the Deschutes River to connect them with nature, and that’s exactly what they got. From their waterfront perch in Bend, Oregon, they sit on a deck placed above a beautiful stone ledge and watch the minks, river otters, muskrats, beavers, bald eagles, osprey and kingfishers, along with the traffic of canoes, floats and kayaks going by. Inside, the public areas, master suite and an upstairs study all look out on the river, where the couple enjoy spying ducks such as goldeneyes, mergansers and buffleheads swimming and diving as they look for food.
Photos by Benjamin Benschneider
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Bend, Oregon
Size: 2,950 square feet (274 square meters); three bedrooms; 3½ bathrooms
Designers: Nils Finne, design principal, and Chris Hawley, project manager/architect at Finne Architects
Working within the confines of a narrow lot, designer Nils Finne opened up as many spaces as possible to the river views. He also worked around a large outcropping, hovering a deck 6 to 8 inches over the ledge. Here you see one of the homeowners enjoying the river in his canoe.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Bend, Oregon
Size: 2,950 square feet (274 square meters); three bedrooms; 3½ bathrooms
Designers: Nils Finne, design principal, and Chris Hawley, project manager/architect at Finne Architects
Working within the confines of a narrow lot, designer Nils Finne opened up as many spaces as possible to the river views. He also worked around a large outcropping, hovering a deck 6 to 8 inches over the ledge. Here you see one of the homeowners enjoying the river in his canoe.
First let’s look at how the site-specific plans for the home evolved. Finne’s initial ink sketch shows how he approached the narrow lot. The bottom left corner represents the street, the upper right corner the river.
The home is made up of several separate volumes: the two-story volume along the north side and smaller volumes on the south-facing side that form a private courtyard. “The courtyard creates a quiet contemplative space away from all of the action on the river,” Finne says.
The home is made up of several separate volumes: the two-story volume along the north side and smaller volumes on the south-facing side that form a private courtyard. “The courtyard creates a quiet contemplative space away from all of the action on the river,” Finne says.
This rendering shows the way the volumes interact. “There are five different architectural volumes nestled together to create the courtyard,” Finne says. “The lower volumes have interlocking broken roof shapes that slant up and slant down.” This prevents the house from looking like one big monolithic block along the water.
Another way Finne broke up the facade was to clad the two-story volume in corrugated metal and wrap the smaller volumes in tightly spaced Western red cedar siding.
The garage and main entry are on the left, the courtyard is just past it, and the majority of the living spaces open up to the river on the right.
Another way Finne broke up the facade was to clad the two-story volume in corrugated metal and wrap the smaller volumes in tightly spaced Western red cedar siding.
The garage and main entry are on the left, the courtyard is just past it, and the majority of the living spaces open up to the river on the right.
In this rendering, you can see how the house follows the grade and steps down toward the river. “Usually we go up to get the views, but in this case we descend down the site to the river,” Finne says.
The homeowners especially like the way the house connects to nature — you can see the water from almost every room.
The homeowners especially like the way the house connects to nature — you can see the water from almost every room.
This is the river-facing side of the house. “The house cantilevers and gestures to the river views,” Finne says. On the exterior, the cool tones of gray corrugated metal siding and a gray standing-seam metal roof contrast with the warmth of the cedar siding stained a natural wood color.
The chimney’s Montana ledgestone brings in colors that pick up on the cedar and metal tones.
A custom slatted glass and sapele door offers a glimpse of the home’s views.
Door: Lakeview Millworks
Door: Lakeview Millworks
Because the master suite is overhead, it wasn’t possible to play with the shape of the ceiling in the rectilinear space. However, because the house steps down, the ceilings are 12 feet high. This gave Finne a chance to do something creative overhead, adding curves for contrast. It’s also part of the idea of “crafted modernism,” which enhances the architecture with beautifully crafted details throughout the home. The river setting inspired two suspended curvilinear wood ceiling panels composed of 60 uniquely shaped slats.
The shape of the panels was inspired by the topography of the river and also recalls boatbuilding. “The panels were a chance to bring in a sense of natural forms and add a sensual quality within the space, which otherwise would have been too rectilinear,” Finne says.
Sofa: Salon sectional, Vioski; tripod floor lamp: Design Within Reach; flooring (throughout the house): 6-inch quartersawn red oak, Prestige Hardwood Flooring
The shape of the panels was inspired by the topography of the river and also recalls boatbuilding. “The panels were a chance to bring in a sense of natural forms and add a sensual quality within the space, which otherwise would have been too rectilinear,” Finne says.
Sofa: Salon sectional, Vioski; tripod floor lamp: Design Within Reach; flooring (throughout the house): 6-inch quartersawn red oak, Prestige Hardwood Flooring
The overhead panels were an integral part of the design. They warm the space and delineate the great room and kitchen areas within the open plan. They’re made from 1-inch-thick, tightly bound furniture-grade maple veneer, cut according to Finne’s computer renderings on a CNC milling machine.
The material is dimensionally stable and won’t expand or contract. “It’s so crazy to watch the CNC milling machine, making what these crazy guys from Seattle cooked up,” Finne says.
One of the homeowners has an engineering background, which came in handy when the couple decided to assemble the panels themselves, the most challenging part of the renovation. The cut pieces were numbered and shipped for them to put together.
Panel fabrication: Hessel Custom
The material is dimensionally stable and won’t expand or contract. “It’s so crazy to watch the CNC milling machine, making what these crazy guys from Seattle cooked up,” Finne says.
One of the homeowners has an engineering background, which came in handy when the couple decided to assemble the panels themselves, the most challenging part of the renovation. The cut pieces were numbered and shipped for them to put together.
Panel fabrication: Hessel Custom
Contrasting materials continue on the interior. A folded-steel mantel contrasts with the earthy tones of the Montana ledgestone fireplace surround. This folded piece is weathered. “The patina picks up on the rust tones in the stone,” Finne says.
“The folded steel creates a series of alcoves rather than the expected flat plane of a mantel,” he says. “It’s an intriguing variation on what a mantel can be.” The folds also create an interesting play of light and shadow.
The steel carries through to the adjacent shelves; those directly next to the surround are all steel, then the steel mixes with the wood, and the two bottom shelves, intended for firewood storage, are lined in steel.
Steelwork throughout the house: Ponderosa Forge and Ironworks; stonework: Boisineau Masonry
“The folded steel creates a series of alcoves rather than the expected flat plane of a mantel,” he says. “It’s an intriguing variation on what a mantel can be.” The folds also create an interesting play of light and shadow.
The steel carries through to the adjacent shelves; those directly next to the surround are all steel, then the steel mixes with the wood, and the two bottom shelves, intended for firewood storage, are lined in steel.
Steelwork throughout the house: Ponderosa Forge and Ironworks; stonework: Boisineau Masonry
The south-facing grass courtyard makes the most of the side yard and continues the open feeling without sacrificing privacy. Sliding glass panels that match those on the river-facing side open up to the courtyard.
Note how the ceiling panels look from this angle.
Aluminum-clad Douglas fir windows: Marvin Windows and Doors
Note how the ceiling panels look from this angle.
Aluminum-clad Douglas fir windows: Marvin Windows and Doors
When the couple first contacted Finne after seeing his work online, they sent some initial drawings of what they wanted, which included a courtyard. “The key idea they had for a courtyard stayed in the plans,” Finne says. “They don’t have air conditioning here and it is great for cross-ventilation.” The space also lets in light.
Also keeping the home cool on hot days are windows with high-performance low-E insulated glass, equipped with concealed shades. The house has 40 percent higher insulation values than required by code. “It was in the mid-90s the day we shot the photos but the house was cool,” Finne says.
Also keeping the home cool on hot days are windows with high-performance low-E insulated glass, equipped with concealed shades. The house has 40 percent higher insulation values than required by code. “It was in the mid-90s the day we shot the photos but the house was cool,” Finne says.
Here’s the second ceiling panel, located over the dining area. Finne designed three blackened metal light bars to anchor the narrow steel pendant lights. “This way we added an interesting visual touch to the ceiling; otherwise each light would have had a little canopy on the ceiling,” he says. The small pendants create a delicate array of light.
The door on the left leads to a full bathroom and an exterior door (easy access from the river to the bath); the one on the right leads to a large pantry.
Fish art: Heather Fortner
The door on the left leads to a full bathroom and an exterior door (easy access from the river to the bath); the one on the right leads to a large pantry.
Fish art: Heather Fortner
The island top is recycled glass and the cabinets are sapele. The backsplash is glass tile. This inspired a unique choice along the island.
The clients wanted special cabinets for their favorite glassware and tableware pieces. Finne came up with suspended textured glass cabinets lit with LEDs. “I find glass has a magical quality; when used against wood it creates a sense of lightness and reflectivity that makes the wood come alive,” he says. “When the lights are on, the glass cabinets look like a glowing piece of ice.”
Counters: EcoCrush; backsplash tile: Ann Sacks; sink: Blanco
The clients wanted special cabinets for their favorite glassware and tableware pieces. Finne came up with suspended textured glass cabinets lit with LEDs. “I find glass has a magical quality; when used against wood it creates a sense of lightness and reflectivity that makes the wood come alive,” he says. “When the lights are on, the glass cabinets look like a glowing piece of ice.”
Counters: EcoCrush; backsplash tile: Ann Sacks; sink: Blanco
In this photo you can see how open the home is to the outdoors and how the deck appears to float over the river.
Gas cooktop: BlueStar; all other appliances: Miele; cabinetmakers: Dansky Handcrafted
Gas cooktop: BlueStar; all other appliances: Miele; cabinetmakers: Dansky Handcrafted
A custom breakfast nook makes the most of the view. The built-in banquette continues the cantilevered theme. The table is custom; the top consists of two planks of cherry wood. The split in the middle is straight, providing contrast to the more rugged live edges on the sides. “When I have two beautiful pieces of wood like this, it’s nice to separate them,” Finne says. The table base is wenge.
Table: custom, Nils Finne, fabricated by Robert Theiss of Falcon Design; banquette cushion fabric: Knoll Luxe Upholstery Textile in Zimba; pillow fabric: Hella Jongerius for Maharam; chairs: CB2
Table: custom, Nils Finne, fabricated by Robert Theiss of Falcon Design; banquette cushion fabric: Knoll Luxe Upholstery Textile in Zimba; pillow fabric: Hella Jongerius for Maharam; chairs: CB2
The staircase is composed of wood, steel and the same textured glass used on the kitchen island. A large satin-edge glass window lets in the light while providing privacy from the neighboring house.
"The steel has a waxed finish, which came out beautifully," Finne says. "It has subtle color variation and a honed feel."
One surprise is that the master bathroom enjoys the most dramatic upstairs view. The large cantilever on the right side of the house you see on the exterior photos is this window behind the bathtub. Translucent glass adds a little privacy at the bottom, and the homeowners have the option of lowering hidden shades when necessary. The shades tuck up into an inch-wide opening in the trim above the windows.
Bathtub: IOS, Victoria + Albert; tub filler: Hansgrohe
Bathtub: IOS, Victoria + Albert; tub filler: Hansgrohe
The vanity cantilevers out, while the mirror above it has glass mosaic tile down the sides and custom LED light bars hidden behind satin etched glass. Note the way the quartz bench is revealed from outside the shower stall. The shower niche and border at the top of the tile wall are EcoCrush. A separate water closet is on the other side of the bench wall in the shower, separated by translucent glass.
Quartz countertop: Cambria; faucets: Hansgrohe; glass wall tile and porcelain floor tile: Ann Sacks
Quartz countertop: Cambria; faucets: Hansgrohe; glass wall tile and porcelain floor tile: Ann Sacks
The master suite is one of the homeowners’ favorite spots in the house — it’s peaceful, connected to the outdoors and relaxing. The master bedroom is between the master bathroom and this sitting area-study, which enjoys the view from the other cantilevered window.
They also enjoy a fireplace in this room. “The hearth and mantel wrap around the corner, which is a very Scandinavian element,” says Finne, whose family is from Norway.
Chairs: Modern Lite, Thayer Coggin
They also enjoy a fireplace in this room. “The hearth and mantel wrap around the corner, which is a very Scandinavian element,” says Finne, whose family is from Norway.
Chairs: Modern Lite, Thayer Coggin
A steel mantel doesn’t actually touch the fireplace surround; the gaps between the two play with light and shadow.
One of the homeowners and Finne enjoy the fire pit on a beautiful night.
The house was designed to be sustainable and energy-efficient. Besides the passive cooling already mentioned, it has a radiant hydronic heating system, large amounts of natural light, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, LED lighting, only low-VOC paints and stains, and locally sourced materials. Solar panels on the roof serve the domestic hot water supply and the radiant heating. The overhangs keep the sun from baking the house in summer, but were placed so that the lower winter sun will passively warm the floor.
The house was designed to be sustainable and energy-efficient. Besides the passive cooling already mentioned, it has a radiant hydronic heating system, large amounts of natural light, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, LED lighting, only low-VOC paints and stains, and locally sourced materials. Solar panels on the roof serve the domestic hot water supply and the radiant heating. The overhangs keep the sun from baking the house in summer, but were placed so that the lower winter sun will passively warm the floor.
One of the homeowners wrangles his board down to the river. Here’s a fun behind-the-scenes tale: He and his canoe served as the ferry for photographer Benjamin Benschneider, and took him out on the river and across to another dock for the night shot. Benschneider was more than a little nervous about loading up all of his very expensive camera equipment into a wobbly rivercraft, but it all worked out well.
Contractors: Tim and Trevin Duey
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Contractors: Tim and Trevin Duey
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
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Becky - It must be a depth-perception thing in the photos that makes it look like the ground falls away more steeply. It certainly looks better without it.
Yes, it's hard to see exactly what's happening from that angle.
Lots of complimentary comments here, and rightly so.