Courtyard House on a Steep Site by Hutchison & Maul Architecture

The architects were asked to design two conflicting elements, guest/retreat space and family/active space, as close to the lake as code would allow. There was also a desire for lake access from the main residence located up the hillside, and to integrate water-sports storage and a changing/bathing room as part of the family/active space. Finally, it was important that the guest/retreat spaces feel private even when people occupy the family/active space, and of course taking advantage of the view wherever possible was an obvious choice.

To access the house, one navigates through the series of excavated exterior terraces and stairways, across water features and bridges, then down another stairway, finally arriving at a small exterior glass-enclosed courtyard in the center of the residence. This entry sequence informed the shape of the wood volume as well as the placement and configuration of the concrete retaining walls. Horizontal wood siding assembled with members of alternating depth enhance the notions of texture, shadow and perspective; contrast with the smooth concrete site walls; and ultimately heighten the journey from driveway to center of house.

Exterior terraces and courtyards are carved into the sloping hillside to facilitate pedestrian circulation throughout the site; to provide natural light throughout the primary levels of the house; and to provide privacy from the neighboring properties. The house consists of two parts: a concrete plinth which contains utilitarian and less-used spaces; and a hovering wood volume above that contains the private functions of family bedrooms and bathrooms. The resulting space sandwiched between the wood structure and concrete plinth houses the primary living areas, bound by large expanses of glazing that afford views through the open level of the house to the Lake beyond.