Rectanus Residence
Vancouver, Washington
This single-family residence for a young professional couple sits on a high ridge overlooking the Columbia River gorge. The design orients and focuses all principle rooms on the view toward the river and the city of Portland beyond.
Stone flooring is used over a concrete slab at the ground level to augment a passive-solar design stategy. Tradition wood columns, cornices, trim profiles, and deeply recessed window and door openings are combined with saturated colors to achieve the "Mediterranean" style desired by the Owners. The principle ground floor rooms open directly on to decks or patios, which in turn lead to extensive gardens and orchards.