After snatching up a narrow piece of land on Lake Chelan, Washington—but knowing they couldn’t yet afford to build—Seattleites Aaron and Hilary Richmond bought a 32-foot Airstream, and camped there on weekends for eight years while they piggy-banked funds. When the couple decided to finally break ground, they sought the same indoor-outdoor living their temporary digs provided, but on a grander and more accommodating scale for visiting friends and family.
Architects Steve Hoedemaker and Kelly Jimenez (of Seattle architecture firm Bosworth Hoedemaker) delivered, starting with a spacious deck that’s a vital vein to the great room. In warm months, the axis of living runs from the open kitchen and dining space through glass bifold doors to the deck. With a fire table, electric heating, and outdoor speakers, the deck is the family’s living room from May to September. In the colder months, the axis rotates to the indoor living space, where the family camps out in front of the fireplace to read or play with Legos. Big south-facing windows end at floor level, creating the sensation that the room is hovering above the lake.
Architecture: Steve Hoedemaker and Kelly Jimenez, Bosworth Hoedemaker, Seattle; bosworthhoedemaker.com. Interior Design: Amy Baker, Seattle; amybakerdesign.com. Landscape Design: Randy Allworth, Seattle; allworthdesign.com. General Contractor: Rimmer & Roeter Construction, Inc.