Steamboat Landing House

A custom home in Camas, Washington. The house is white, with a dark roof, and has floor to ceiling windows. It is next to the Columbia River.

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.

  • Location: Camas, WA

    The goal of high performance was met by implementing an energy-efficient heat pump system, radiant floor heating, 10” thick super-insulated concrete walls, close-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 for 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 that 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, 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.

  • DESIGN TEAM: Richard Brown AIA and Jennifer Wright AIA

    PHOTOGRAPHER: Matt Swain Photography

The bathroom of a custom residential home. There is a large soaking tub in front of floor to ceiling windows. The floor is tan and black tiles.
The living room of a custom residential home. There are two rocking chairs, and a couch. A circular coffee table is in between them. A spring spaniel dog lays on the floor. There is a fireplace in the background.
The hallway of a custom residential floor. There are concrete floors. On the left side of the hallway is built in hutches.
An aerial shot of the outside of a custom residential home in Camas, Washington on the Columbia Rive. The home is white and black, with a two car garage. There is a purple sunset.
The outside of a custom residential home. There are large floor to ceiling windows.
The dining room of a custom residential home. The wood dining table seats 8. The left wall has floor to ceiling windows look at the Columbia River. There are skylights above.
The kitchen of a custom residential home. The island features three bar stools.
The outside of a custom residential home in Camas, Washington, on the Columbia River.
The outside of a custom residential home in Camas, Washington, on the Columbia River.
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