Galien River Retreat by Wheeler Kearns Architects

The owners were drawn to the unique topography of this unbuilt corner lot, its river views, tall mature trees, and the promise of both prospect and refuge. Striving for modernity without austerity, they envisioned a warm and comfortable atmosphere for two, versatile enough for frequent guests and large gatherings.

The project faced many challenges, including balancing the protection of mature trees and natural topography with providing vehicular access and ensuring privacy upon approach. Additionally, it was important to maximize views to outdoor programming, and create safe play spaces for grandchildren at the pool and along the steep riverside slope.

The linear massing follows the crest of the land, oriented towards the river. The flat roof and extended eaves cap the living spaces, including the essential screened porch—dubbed the “summer living room.” A pop-up second floor features a canted roof lifting toward the river views. High clerestory windows were deployed to ensure privacy on the streetside (refuge), while expansive glass and screening maximize connections to nature and family, (prospect). The arrival to the house is one of modesty, a slow drive up a narrow gravel drive to a low-slung free-standing garage and parking court, with a connected trellis that defines the home’s entry.

At the heart of the design is the exposed glulam structure, which serves as both a central aesthetic feature and a means of seamlessly integrating indoor and outdoor living spaces. Its rhythmic structure harmonizes with the surrounding trees, allowing for expansive glazed openings that span from column to column. The glulam beams extend effortlessly from the interior to the exterior, forming a trellis that connects the main house to the garage, and a canopy over the pool terrace.

The first floor features an open layout where the kitchen, living, and dining areas flow into a generous three-sided, skylit screen porch leading to an outdoor pool terrace, barbecue patio, and herb garden. Two guest rooms are tucked into the east, effectively serving as poche as is the garage. The “pop-up” second floor, accessed via an open wood and steel stair, contains the owner’s primary suite and home office/aerie.

The warmth of the glulam beams is accentuated by a continuous white ceiling plane of acoustic fabric that effectively reduces reverberation. Complementing this is a minimalist material palette of black thermally broken aluminum windows, polished radiant hydronic concrete floors, and grey Accoya interior and exterior wood cladding—all selected to weather and wear beautifully over time.