Our creative and energetic clients came to ecco with a beautiful waterfront property after years of envisioning their dream home. The spaces and relationships between them had been well thought out and documented by the owners.  However, as is often the case, the clients had not always traveled to the same place in their dreams when they envisioned the home's aesthetic.  One wanted comfort above all else with a bit of tropical resort, the other hoped for a more refined northwest contemporary feel. Thus the fun began, as the owners happily explored the possibilities with ecco on where the two dreams might meet. 

Using hand sketches, computer modeling, and photos taken on trips around the world and around the lake, a language began to develop. Lot’s of light, with big views of the lake and smaller views of different architecturally defined spaces on the property began to form the home.  Budget had to be carefully reviewed early in the design development process, and parameters of design defined to guide the project to the clients' budgetary goals. The home's structural system used as much standard framing as possible to keep costs down. The house stepped down the slope toward the water to reduce excavation costs, with the added benefit of nestling the home into the site. As we developed the language of the house, material options were weighed with both aesthetic and cost considerations in mind. Project spread sheets were kept from early on to assist in this process. And as the owner’s involvement developed, this cost and aesthetic balance became an intriguing process for them, as we identified special areas of interest to focus effort and design muscle on, and areas where simplicity worked best. As the project continues to move through the construction process, the owners have come to realize that the memories of their home are already being created.