The Elk Rock Residence: A Dream House on a Slope

Lake Oswego in Oregon is known for its stunning natural scenery. Not wanting to waste that potential, architect Robert Harvey Oshatz bought a piece of land on a hillside near the lake to build his residence and studio.

At that time, the steep hillside with a slope of 30 degrees was doubtful to be the development land. However, with his creativity, Robert Harvey Oshatz remains optimistic about building the residence on this extreme land. From his belief, he created a home and his dream studio, The Elk Rock Residence.

(The structure of the building resembles a funnel)

The Elk Rock Residence was designed and built in the 1980s on a steep hillside. Oshatz wanted a structure soaring out into space, almost defying gravity. But he also wanted the home to feel reserved and tied to the land where it would be built.

Departing from this idea, The Elk Rock Residence was built using a large concrete structure that he arranged at the bottom of the building mass. In addition, Robert Harvey Oshatz uses a stucco finish, white sheetrock, douglas fir tongue, and groove ceiling for the main material of this residence. The material is displayed through the glass to disguise the barrier between the inside and outside the room.

(Triangular fins allow for peace when sitting on a cantilever deck)

If you look closely, The Elk Rock Residence is thick with dramatic lines that strengthen its character. The lines will be immediately visible from the sloping roof design resembling a canopy separated by glass from other elements. This will give the feeling in a space defined by each forming element, rather than from the roof surface blending into the volume. This sloping roof design also allows wind, light, and air to move freely into the space.

(The Elk Rock Residence is thick with dramatic lines that reinforce its character)

One of the most striking elements of The Elk Rock Residence is the large triangular fins that protrude out of the main volume. These triangular fins are implemented as silencers to protect occupants from the noise of roads leading to the back of the house. In addition, peace is created when residents sit on the cantilever deck without blocking the view of the lake. 

(The large triangular fin protruding out of the main volume becomes the most striking element of The Elk Rock Residence)

The Elk Rock Residence has proven that a building can stand on steep hillsides. For Robert Harvey Oshatz, one of the most important things an architect can do is create a structure capable of coming to terms with his environment. Not only that, he believes that with architecture that goes hand in hand with the surrounding environment, residents can feel similar peace through the function, appearance, and conditions around the environment.

(Living room arranged overlooking the surrounding trees)