Prow House

OR, United States

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Prow House

OR, United States

Firm

chadbourne + doss architects

Type

Residential › Private House

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2023

SIZE

5000 sqft - 10,000 sqft

BUDGET

Undisclosed

Photos

Jeremy Bittermann (23)

When chadbourne + doss architects got the call for a new house project on a waterfront lot on the North Oregon Coast, architect Daren Doss got very excited. The 21,700 square foot lot sat in front of one of his favorite surf breaks. With the promise of surf sessions before site meetings, the project offered the unique opportunity to experience the site from many perspectives. The steep hillside site bound with zoning and environmental constraints would prove challenging and rewarding.

The Prow House is shaped by its site, program, and zoning constraints. Considered by some as unbuildable, the site is long and narrow, flanked by the road and the beach. Two variances were required to build the 5,000 square foot home – one for increased height to allow garage access from the road, and one for a reduced front yard setback to allow the house and garage to fit between the road and the ocean setback. The resulting buildable footprint is long and thin and allows the program to be arranged from north to south and facing west to maximize the ocean views. The steep slope required a complex foundation system that ties back into the hillside and allows the home to cantilever 11’ over the bank.

The Upper Floor at street level is minimized to preserve ocean and beach views from the road and for uphill properties. Surrounding it, a large sedum-planted green roof covers the Main Floor below. The interior is arranged so that all primary spaces have access to the west ocean view along the 150-foot length of the home while service spaces are located against the hillside. Large multi-slide doors allow access to a continuous west deck for enjoying the view and for building maintenance and window cleaning.

In this extreme environment, durable lasting materials were selected that minimize maintenance. Zinc and board-formed concrete are used for the siding materials. An Ipe wood deck is continuous along the west elevation. Western Red Cedar ceilings at the Main Floor extend out to form a protective soffit at the exterior. To reduce energy consumption, the Upper Roof contains an 18kw photovoltaic solar array that powers high efficiency mechanical equipment which is paired with a high performance building envelope, making this a very sustainable home. Interior finishes include porcelain tile flooring with radiant heat; stainless steel; stone countertops; acrylic cabinetry; blackened stainless steel, and glass.

The Prow House is a testament to its place. It provides a visceral front row seat to the majesty of the Pacific Ocean. Both tough and elegant, the design strives to embody the qualities of the Oregon Coast – from warm summer days to winter’s horizontal rain. Surfing in front, architect Daren Doss, admires how the home changes with the light and the environment – sometimes a beacon against the forest’s green and sometimes blending into the clouds and fog.