McKenzie River Heritage Home
Check out the Eugene Magazine article showcasing the legacy home!
Location — Springfield, OR
Year Completed — 2019
The main design concept of this custom home was a continuous living space, allowing the river setting to be enjoyed all year long and in any kind of weather by the client, their extended family & friends. An expansive, cantilevered deck juts out from the hill with large triple-sliding glass doors connecting inside to out, with unobstructed views & easy access. The concept continues to the other side of the home, where a beautifully sculpted pool sits under the protection of an elegant timber structure, mimicking the naturally wooded canopies surrounding the property. The exposed timber creates another consistent theme throughout the project, from the protruding window headers encased by an earth-tone stucco to the rough-sawn stair treads leading up to the guest rooms. Along with the beauty & warmth given by the exposed structure and wood accents, these custom elements connect guests back to the context of the wooded PNW site.
Maximizing the dollar consisted of minimizing the footprint, while still preserving the resort feel of this incredible riverfront property. The home only boasts 3,600 sf of conditioned living space on the 5 acre lot. Nestling the structure amidst the existing knoll, we created a split-level home allowing for guest rooms above the garage and keeping the remaining program on one level. Then another 35% of the home’s footprint is cantilevered above the sloping hill, cradled by custom shaped glulam beams. There’s a custom detail to discover at every turn!
The main facade elements are T&G cedar, natural stone veneer, exposed Doug fir timber, and a stucco plaster system. On the interior, natural elements contrast a simple paint scheme & warm up this river retreat. Details in the flooring, stairs, & cabinetry all reflect the juxtaposition of the natural & built environment. The vaulted great room is made more intimate with a lowered trellis, and lighting is brought down with decorative wood/steel trusses. The true-masonry fireplace grounds the room and becomes the focal point after the expansive views to the river disappear under the setting sun.
From start to finish our team was heavily involved overseeing the creation of this ‘heritage home’. As a design build firm, we were planning for excavation cuts & mechanical systems before we even finished schematic design. Engaging the client in budget conversations & being proponents of sustainable practices up front enabled the team to deliver a fantastic product that met the owner’s budget, without compromising aesthetics & efficiency. Sharing knowledge of best building practices empowered the owner to select quality materials, systems, and equipment. From a spray-foam b.i.b. wall insulation package, to south facing pv panels, to hybrid heat systems, every component of this build was designed with excellence & realized in the field with quality workmanship.
With the amount of glazing in this home, the residents rarely need to use the LED fixtures during the day. Ambient light floods the house from both sides of the great room, capturing both the northern and southern light filtering in under the large coverings. Using corner windows & intentionally placed windows, moments were created throughout the home for all users. Apart from a few storage areas, not one room in this home is without natural light & a framed view of the spectacular surroundings. Outside, the site connection is further enriched by the meandering pathways, pulling you out to the pool, pickleball court, workout room, and even down to the McKenzie itself.
Project Team:
- Builder - Seven Bridge Construction & Arbor South Construction
- Finish Carpentry - Randall Pool Construction
- Engineer - Pioneer Engineering
- Interiors - Sarah Elizabeth Design
- Landscape Architect - Stangeland & Associates
- Photographer - Chris Murray Productions
- Drone Photographer - Nathan Ahn
- Additional: Scapes Unlimited, The Cabinet Factory, Stone Works International, Mark Bellamy Tile, Comfort Flow Heating, Specialty Plumbing Company, Reynold's Electric, Mike Jones Masonry, Elliott Specialty Metal, Northwest Pool & Spa, McKenzie Roofing, Mid-Valley, Jeff McLaughlin Plastering, ECI Insulation, Overhead Door, The Green Store, The Truss Co.
