Located in Eastern Washington, this twenty acre site lay fallow on rolling orchard clad hills above a beautiful basalt cliff canyon. In coordination with the project architects, a master plan was created that embraces the local orchard vernacular and the native canyon biome.
A series of dramatic east‐west architectural forms serves to organize the site and create level terraces. A long stone wall introduces these forms. A gap in this wall, located at the end of the entry drive which passes through new orchards, marks arrival at the residence. The residence and barn anchor the east‐ west linear pattern, and allees of hawthorn trees, reflecting pools, and a ninety foot “scatter garden” continue the sequence.
Views of the canyon dominate the landscape adjacent to the lower side of the residence, where a lawn provides space for recreation while a swimming pool extends to an infinity edge, capturing reflections of canyon, hill, and sky. The landscape below will be restored with native meadow and sagebrush. Low stone walls traverse natural swale contours slowing runoff to support native vegetation and wildflowers.
Architecture: Graham Baba Architects
Photography: Kevin Scott; Jennifer H. LaFreniere