Builder: Hobbs Homebuilding

Construction cost/size: $725,000/3,600 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths

The intent: While Kuniholm set out "to create a house that expressed the ethos of the Arts & Crafts movement with its Asian-inspired, hand-crafted idealism," his goal was "to achieve this 'spirit' in a clearly contemporary way, using materials of our time without recalling that work literally or stylistically." Thus this home certainly has lots of wood (including cedar shingles, African mahogany cabinets and recycled Douglas fir beams). But it also updates Northwest regionalism. Instead of being a daylight rambler — the usual solution for a sloping, waterfront lot — it stairsteps down in sections, which themselves are set at angles. The heart of the house is the open/kitchen dining area, which is sunlit and two stories tall.

Deep overhangs protect the home's west, water-facing side from the weather and sun. On the main floor, to the right, is the kitchen and dining area. To the left is the living room. The deck above it holds a hot tub.

Set in the trees, this weekend getaway is designed as three pavilions that function for both family and guests. To the left is the bunkhouse; to the right the master suite. Between them is the main gathering space with open kitchen.

	An angled "floating" ceiling allows recessed lighting to bathe the walls of the kitchen/dining/living area. The patio beyond offers views toward Cle Elum.

Architect: Lane Williams of Lane Williams Architects

Builder: Norm Gove

Construction cost/size: $560,000/2,800 square feet, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths

The intent: To create a year-round getaway for Floyd and Judy Rogers that's "rugged but without being rustic or cabin-like in a traditional way," says Williams. The home was designed as three distinct compartments with living and sleeping spaces for extended family and friends. One compartment contains a private master bedroom, bath and den for the couple. Another is a large "bunkhouse" for guests. Between them, connected by glassed-in breezeways, is the main gathering space, including an open kitchen. The home's exterior is rugged — sloped metal roof, cement-board and stone siding — to retard fire and repel winter snow buildup.

	Connecting the home's two sections is a three-story central core whose exposed posts rise dramatically through the house.

Builder: Douglas Johnson & Co.

Construction cost/size: $643,000/3,800 square feet, 5 bedrooms, 3 full and 2 half baths

The intent: To overcome the limitations of the infill site — steep, man-made slope, poor soil quality — while creating a family-friendly view home that fits well into its established neighborhood. The solution was to invest $200,000 in a foundation system, then build a three-story modified Craftsman that captures Lake Washington views. Sozinho broke up the exterior by designing it in two sections, with a central circulation core, accentuated by exposed posts that rise dramatically through the house. Sections of the roof and kitchen are cantilevered out by huge, exposed beams. Environmentally friendly, cost-effective materials were used throughout.

A rear view displays the home's two wings plus its kitchen and eating area sheltered behind the deep roof overhang. Lake Washington is in the distance.

		By building high, the owner was able to gain a view of Lake Washington. The deep roof eaves give the house a slight pagoda ambience.

Builder: Precision Builders

Construction cost/size: $450,000/2,523 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths

The intent: To replace the owner's existing home with a larger, modern residence that would gain a view of Lake Washington. A tight budget was also a consideration, as was the owner's desire that the house fit comfortably into its eclectic neighborhood. The home is on three levels. On the lower floor are the garage and two bedrooms. The main level contains the cooking and living areas (special touch: built-in bookcases, some of which are tilted). The airy top-floor master suite offers a cathedral ceiling and view deck. A deep red stucco-type exterior was chosen to relate to the color of surrounding brick and tile houses.

The living room's custom-made entertainment center includes a tilted bookshelf that follows the angle of the wall. Above it is a display window, one of several in the home that let in light but retain privacy.

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