Steamboat Landing Home

This home sits at a dramatic juncture between a state highway and the Columbia River, adjacent to the Lewis and Clark Scenic Byway. Steps away from its namesake, Steamboat Landing Park, the home has dramatic 180 degree views of the river, Mount Hood, and Oregon beyond. Creating a connection and celebrating this stunning natural setting while keeping highway noise at bay was one of this project's primary goals. Equally as important was the goal to design a high-performance building. These goals were met by implementing an energy-efficient heat pump system, radiant floor heating, 10" thick super-insulated concrete walls, closed-cell spray foam insulation in the attic, and triple-pane windows throughout. The sustainable attributes were balanced with durable and long-lasting materials, including standing seam metal roofing, stucco, and cedar siding to create a home that will stand for generations. Honoring the homeowner's request to design an age-in-place, one-level home, the plan is a simple sequence of bars with the two largest capped by gable roofs. The tallest of the bars closest to the highway is a garage, which houses the couple's much-loved Airstream. A smaller flat-roofed bar acts as a connector between the gabled forms and serves as the home's entry with the kitchen functions beyond. The largest of the bars, and the one closest to the river, includes an open concept great room flanked by two-bedroom suites on either side. A water-front deck spans the entire living and dining area, with a twenty-foot wide multi-slide panel door offering a seamless connection to an outdoor covered entertainment area. Inside, smooth concrete floors, walnut casework, and multiple skylights combine to create a truly inviting space. Photographer: Matt Swain Photography