Scenes from House on a Ridge
House On A Ridge Nears Completion
Our House On A Ridge project is almost ready to make its debut, and it’s already turning heads. During a recent site visit, the construction crew had just finished several key areas, and we couldn’t resist capturing some photos. Even in these candid, mid-construction moments, the home’s design language is unmistakable: natural materials, vertical lines, warm timber, black metal accents, and sunlight filtering through the trees.
From the very beginning, this home was about balance between architecture and environment, between openness and privacy, between sophistication and sustainability.
The clients came to River Architects with a special property tucked within a conservation area, protected by a ridgeline overlay. Their vision? A home that embraced its dramatic views while blending seamlessly into the wooded hillside. Together, we set out to design a residence that wouldn’t just sit on the land, but would feel like it grew from it.
To honor both the site and the clients’ commitment to sustainability, we began by identifying opportunities to harness the site’s solar potential. Working alongside expert builders and engineers, we fine-tuned every detail to meet Passive design certification standards, a true collaboration that pushed innovation while keeping energy performance front and center.
The resulting design gently steps down the slope, culminating in a striking cantilever that extends over the landscape. This feature doesn’t just create a dramatic visual moment, it forms a covered outdoor deck below, which offers a shaded retreat perfect for entertaining and enjoying the view.
Above the central stairwell, a generous skylight floods the space with natural light, connecting the upper and lower levels and highlighting the home’s vertical rhythm.
The exterior is a study in texture and tone. The upper floor’s corrugated metal cladding gives a contemporary edge, while the lower level introduces a unique, sustainable twist. Here we utilized an eco-conscious cladding made from rice hulls that mimics the warmth of natural wood. Together, these materials express the project’s modern sensibility and environmental ethos.
Completing the picture is a swimming pool that seamlessly integrates into the lower deck and patio, reflecting sunlight and treetops alike. This recreation space becomes a serene extension of the home’s indoor-outdoor flow.
As House On A Ridge nears completion, it’s clear that this project is more than just a home. It’s a celebration of thoughtful design, environmental responsibility, and the quiet power of architecture that listens to its landscape.
