Olson Kundig

Rimrock

RIMROCK

Olson Kundig

Rimrock
© Benjamin Benschneider

ARCHITECTS
Olson Kundig

GENERAL CONTRACTOR
Copeland Architecture & Construction

INTERIORS
Debbie Kennedy

DESIGN PRINCIPAL
Tom Kundig

PROJECT MANAGER
Steven Rainville

PROJECT ARCHITECT
Garin Schenk

AREA
5200 ft²

YEAR
2014

LOCATION
United States

CATEGORY
Houses

Rimrock
© Benjamin Benschneider

Text description provided by architect.

The particular form of Rimrock – a T-shaped structure – responds to the unique typography of the bluff upon which it is situated.

At the edge of a cliff, the house straddles two sides of wash atop a stable outcropping of tough, slow-cooled volcanic basalt.

Rimrock
© Benjamin Benschneider
Rimrock
© Benjamin Benschneider

The name “rimrock” refers to this type of geological occurrence, with a sheer rock wall at the upper edge of a plateau or canyon.

The seam below the house is a natural, preexisting path for animals, who use it to move between the mountains and the river. Even though the house is now here, they can still move unimpeded.

Rimrock
© Benjamin Benschneider
Rimrock
© Benjamin Benschneider

The sensitive nature of the landscape, as well as it’s unique climatic, solar and seasonal conditions called for careful positioning of the home and consideration of materials.

Raising the 5,200 SF house above the wash serves many functions, including preservation of the existing animal path.

Rimrock
© Benjamin Benschneider
Rimrock
© Benjamin Benschneider

Knowing that changing wind patterns in the winter can create massive snow drifts, hovering the house above the ground plane allows the use of full-height windows to maximize 180-degree views overlooking Riverside State Park and north Spokane—valley, mountains, forest, river, city—without piles of snow accumulating directly against them. The interior remains open but also protected.

The resulting design reverses the typical transparency one might expect in a home with a large amount of glazing. The upper portion of the building, which is typically most transparent, is actually more private.

The lower portion―the more public family and gathering area―has more transparency and contains a bridge element that spans across the game path.

Rimrock
© Benjamin Benschneider
Rimrock
© Benjamin Benschneider
Rimrock
© Benjamin Benschneider

This transparent main level, which consists of the kitchen, dining and living area, mediates between the prospect and the refuge at the edge of the cliff.

The upper part of the house is the most private and is less transparent than the lower level with views directed towards tighter vistas.

A sense of intimacy throughout the home allows the owner to retreat from what is a spectacular, yet also aggressive environment due to the region’s powerful storms, weather patterns and seasons.

Rimrock
© Benjamin Benschneider
Rimrock
© Benjamin Benschneider

Tough, durable building materials, mostly mild steel and glass, were used to stand up to harsh environmental conditions and will weather naturally. The steel paneling and structure is 90-95% reclaimed material locally sourced by the owner.

There are automatic, seasonally adjusted exterior shades on all windows, which significantly decrease the energy used for cooling.

Rimrock
© Benjamin Benschneider
Rimrock
© Benjamin Benschneider

Erosion on the site is prevented by collecting all rainwater runoff from the roof into one dry well that percolates the water slowly back into the groundwater system.


Rimrock
© Benjamin Benschneider
Rimrock
© Benjamin Benschneider
Rimrock
© Benjamin Benschneider
Rimrock
© Benjamin Benschneider


Rimrock
Site Plan

Olson Kundig
T +1 206 6245670 F +1 206 6243730
Olson Kundig
159 S Jackson St # 600, Seattle, WA 98104, United States