A Rustic Design for a Rugged Climate
Tailored to emphasize the surrounding views, this open floor plan executed in durable materials is sheltered by insulating concrete walls.
Synopsis: Thanks to a combination of durable and energy-efficient materials, mountaintop living has never been so comfortable. Solid construction materials include Rastra ICF (insulating concrete form) walls and a roof of structural insulated panels. For a durable interior, the owners chose slate floors, soapstone counters, and oiled fir flooring. The open floor plan offers gorgeous mountain views from all the major areas of the house, while a partially-finished second story provides the family with room to grow.
In 1992, having had my fill of California, I moved to Sandpoint, a scenic town of 5,000 near the top of the Idaho panhandle. Using the proceeds from the sale of my California property, I immediately built a large contemporary home with dramatic views overlooking the Cabinet Mountains and Lake Pend Oreille. Unfortunately, while searching (like so many others) for a simpler, less hectic life, I unwittingly built a home that precisely reflected…
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