Cascade Mountain Retreat

About Cascade Mountain Retreat

This retreat home is located in Tumble Creek at Suncadia, which is a gated mountain resort community on the eastern slope of the Cascade Mountains about an hour and a half drive from Seattle. The area is heavily wooded, with the property set amongst native pine trees on a flat roughly half-acre site.

The 6,000-square-foot home captures a mountain modern aesthetic, defined by large interior spaces that flow from one to the other while the outside is rendered in semi-rustic materials borrowed from traditional mountain vernacular architecture. The home is oriented due south and looks out on the Tumble Creek golf course as well as the nearby densely vegetated mountains. The trapezoidal-shaped property enjoys 180-degree territorial views. Wrapped in stacked stone and cedar cladding, the exterior blends in with the trees, rocky terrain, and native grasses. A metal roof was chosen to ensure protection from wildfires. The home’s distinctive presence is provided by a series of stepped shed roofs. The cascading shed roofs help to break down the scale of the 115-foot-long L-shaped floor plan and provide a graceful expression of the forms.

Inside, the main living spaces of the home are airy and light-filled and organized into two distinct spaces by a massive stone fireplace. The two spaces—combined living/dining area and the family room/kitchen—constitute the center of daily activity. From the entry vestibule, one can see directly through the living room to the trees and hills beyond. The single slope of the ceiling starts low at the entry and rises to sixteen feet with floor-to-ceiling glass wrapping the south side to create a dramatic light-filled experience. The primary bedroom suite is located on the east side of the main living spaces to provide privacy from the other three bedrooms on the west side of the home. A bunk room for grandkids and guests with children is located on the second floor above the guest bedrooms. Deep overhangs and a continuous trellis on the south facade shield the home from the hot summer sun and the deep snow in winter. Interiors are defined by white oak flooring, fir beams and trim, clear alder ceilings, with oiled steel accent panels and kitchen range hood.

A covered terrace is tucked into the home to provide protection from the prevailing winds from the west and has a built-in barbecue area. An outdoor seating area and fire pit are stone-clad to match the house.