High Desert Hideout

Warm minimalism expressive of Central Oregon

The High Desert Hideout home is expressive of the Central Oregon desert landscape. SEA’s contemporary design unifies the interior and exterior using natural materials, appropriate massing, and a dialogue with the surrounding environment. This house is designed for all seasons and facilitates the active lifestyle of our clients and their young family. Indoors flow easily to the outdoors, and the residence features a gym wing with a sauna, a landscaped courtyard with a pool, spa, and firepit, inviting common spaces, and a second-story home office with a balcony overlooking the high desert.

Location
Bend, OR

Size
7,800 sf

Year
2024

The High Desert Hideout’s site is located west of downtown Bend, Oregon, and borders Deschutes National Forest. The home enjoys uninterrupted views of several peaks of the Cascade Mountain Range. The orientation of the residence is intentional, placed to maximize these views while connecting with and reflecting the simplicity of the surrounding landscape.

Backyard with pool, hot tub, and large patio

Upon arrival at the home, the transparency of the main entry volume primarily showcases a double-height foyer and feature stair, but through layering of glass, wood, and architectural accents, still hints at the landscape beyond.

Once one steps past the foyer and into the great room, the expansiveness of the view is revealed as the large-format door panels fully retract into the adjacent walls, removing the boundary between inside and outside.

Open living area with dining table, living room and fully open wall to the outdoors

This stunning wall of windows creates a light-filled common area inclusive of the kitchen, dining, and living spaces. Adjacent to the kitchen is a substantial butler’s pantry with storage and prep space. This openness and efficiency, alongside the seamless flow from the interior to the outdoor courtyard, support our clients’ desire to host large gatherings.

Kitchen with light wood cabinetry and marble countertops

Kitchen alley with light wood cabinetry and walls

Living space with large window wall open to the outdoors — A defining feature of the home is a series of courtyards that pull the natural world deep into the interior spaces. The gradual transition from interior to courtyard to landscape is purposeful and supports the home’s overall design language.

Living space and patio with window wall open to back patio — The architectural approach ensured a nearly undetectable transition between the great room and courtyard patio.

High Desert Hideout is further tailored to our clients through unique and responsive spaces such as a media room, a gym and sauna, a playroom for their two young children, a mudroom with ample storage for outdoor recreation equipment, and a second-level home office. The spacious office has a desk, seating area, integrated media, and a connecting balcony overlooking the landscape.

Like the great room, the office’s transition from the interior to the connected balcony is seamless, promoting a strong connection to the natural landscape.

Backyard fire pit with built in seating and pool behind

Wood slat elements provide shading from the sun, and the window system is thermally broken; both features work to increase energy efficiency. Wildfire mitigation strategies, crucial for this region, are applied, including landscaping kept away from the house and a 1-hour fire rating construction for the entire building.