Griffiths/Hermanson Home
| When Anna Griffiths & Rick Hermanson first came to the office to discuss plans for their new home, they had already formed a deep attachment to the parcel of land on which they wanted to build, and to the rocks which covered it. One massive boulder in particular had caught their attention - shaped like a huge couch, it had become the focus of picnics and climbing games with the kids. |
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Today the house sits moored to that couch rock like a ship to a small
island. A cascade of water flows between the boulder and the house
through a rock-floored living porch down to a rock-lined koi pond.
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The rock theme continues inside - not only in the massive hearthstones but even to a boulder set on end, standing sentinel in a corner of the living room. The concrete floor flows around it, colored by Rick's artist hand to resemble the ocean here, a cave painting there. | ||
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Rick's eye for color is seen too in the faux-copper patina to the window frame exteriors and in the strong wall colors forming Mondrian-like geometries throughout the house, while Anna's profuse plantings add exotic accents to the woodland landscape all around. |
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At just 1400 square feet (the
minimum size allowed by neighborhood covenants) the highly organized
plan contains three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a library/study, a small
studio for Rick's sculpture, and a two-level living/dining kitchen
space, as well as a laundry room and foyer.
The house hugs the earth
and seems part of the earth. A multitude of glass doors dissolves the
boundaries between outside and in. Even Anna & Rick's bathroom
contains a door to the outside, giving access to an outdoor shower in
addition to the big soak tub and shower within.
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