Location: Mosier, Oregon (Columbia River Gorge)
Typology: Private Residence + Artist Studio
Program: 2 Bed / 2.5 Bath + Detached Workshop
Gross Floor Area: 2,800 sq. ft. (2,400 Main + 400 Studio) Structure: Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT)
Target Airtightness: < 0.6 ACH50 (Passive House Standard)
“The Makers”
A couple relocating to the Columbia River Gorge not to slow down, but to focus. With a ceramicist in the family, the program required a strict separation between "Living" and "Making." They needed a home that functions as a sanctuary for rest and a separate, durable "machine" for creative work - specifically a "dirty studio" capable of handling silica dust and kiln heat without compromising the indoor air quality of the main home.
“The Basalt Wedge”
Designed for the high-exposure climate of the Columbia River Gorge, 'The Basalt Wedge' operates as a distinct duality: a shield against the relentless westerlies and a lens focusing the expansive northern river views.
The home is organized around a ritual commute. To separate domestic life from the creative act, the 'Dirty Studio' is detached from the main living volume, accessible only via a conditioned glass bridge. This 'Vitrified Passage' forces a moment of suspension over the raw basalt, creating a psychological threshold between the sanctuary of the home and the dust of the workshop.
STRATEGY & LAYOUT
The plan follows a 'Linear Fracture' massing strategy to navigate the site's geology.
- The Shield (Main House): A long, linear bar oriented East-West creates a massive wind shadow. The sleeping zone is buffered by a thickened 'acoustic wall' of cabinetry on the windward West face, while the Great Room opens entirely to the North view.
- The Bridge: A transparent connector links the entry mudroom directly to the studio, bridging a natural basalt fissure.
- The Satellite: The Studio acts as an independent volume, angled to capture specific light and views while remaining acoustically isolated from the living quarters.
INTERIORS
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A window wall facing north. Large south facing window walls capture too much radiant heat in the shoulder seasons for air tight buildings.
Ceramic Studio
The 'Dirty Studio' is a machine for making. Clad in a rigorous grid of marine-grade Douglas Fir plywood with exposed fasteners, the space is durable, honest, and warm. A massive north-facing aperture provides consistent, shadowless light for sculpting, while a dedicated 'Solar Intake' window on the south wall captures winter heat.
Passive House Principles
Achieving comfort in a Zone 5B high-wind climate requires rigorous building science. The entire envelope is airtight (ACH50 < 0.6) with triple-glazed curtain walls, ensuring the home remains draft-free even during 40mph Gorge gales.