Bridge Residence

This project was designed, and developed by Rhodes Architecture + Light while Josh Meharry was a team member. Nestled into a sloping site, the bridge residence is entered by a series of bridges which span over an entrance light well before meandering into and over an interior double height entry space. This entry space is flooded with natural light from the skylight above, and serves to create a buffer between the common living areas and the bedrooms/ office on the upper level, and between the master suite and the kids bedrooms below; a separation that was desirable to this three generation household. The main living spaces are screened from the entry with a vertical wood screen, and the space can be completely opened up to the large western deck with views of a grove of trees below. An exterior chimney ties the two levels together visually and provides fireplaces for warmth at both the upper and lower covered outdoor spaces. Nearly all of the spaces along the west spill out onto either the upper decks or lower continuous terrace, to facilitate a connection with the site and natural environment throughout the seasons. The exterior roof forms are a modern take on traditional shed roofs with large overhangs, often used in the Pacific Northwest for their ability to shed rain and provide covered areas outdoors. Exterior materials were selected for their durability, with muted dark panels accented by brighter colors and natural wood.