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FINNE Architects Explores Crafted Modernism in the Mazama House

05.21.15 | By
FINNE Architects Explores Crafted Modernism in the Mazama House

Located in Washington State’s Methow Valley, on the eastern edge of the North Cascades, the Mazama House sits near a large meadow and is flanked by native trees. Designed by FINNE Architects, the house is made up of two volumes – a grounded, two-story bedroom wing and a raised volume for everyday living that hovers above the ground with the help of exposed steel columns.

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By raising the main volume, they get uninterrupted views and they’re above the top of where the snow generally accumulates.

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The roof of the living volume changes pitch along the length of the structure warping upwards on the ends.

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Exposed wood beams in the main pavilion gradually change as the roof does.

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The house is another step in FINNE’s interest in the idea of crafted modernism, with cast bronze inserts at the front door, variegated laser-cut steel railing panels, a curvilinear cast-glass kitchen counter, waterjet-cut aluminum light fixtures, and many custom furniture pieces.

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They incorporated more than 12 pieces of custom furniture and lighting into the main volume.

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Sustainability was important during the design and building phases. The used 40% higher insulation values than required by law, radiant concrete slab heating, efficient natural ventilation, large amounts of natural lighting, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and locally sourced materials. Besides high-performance windows, they also have concealed shades.

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Photos by Benjamin Benschneider.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.