The Hebrew letter aleph inspired the plan of this dramatic response to a challenging site. The house’s base follows the existing contours of the landscape while the cantilevered living space adjusts it’s angle to the views and the sun’s natural light. The cantilever elevates the inhabitants into the densely wooded surroundings. The site plan reaches beyond mere compliance with the latest steep slope ordinances. The house nests into the contours of the hill in order to subdue it’s visual impact from the road, while dramatically hovering over the rocky terrain to minimize the footprint on the ground. Green features include recycled lumber, radiant heated slabs, solar radiant and photovoltaic panels, and an organic insulated envelope.