Award of MERIT
Eagle River House
Architect: ECI | Category: New Construction
Perched at the edge of the Chugach mountains, this four-story family home stands as a unique expression of its owner while taking maximum advantage of the natural grandeur that surrounds it.
The home’s boldness is apparent from a distance with bright, inviting spaces previewed through expansive high-performance glazing.
Raw structural steel elements are prominent inside and out. On arrival, a foot bridge leads to the entrance on axis with the dramatic, marble-clad stair beyond.
Ascending one story to the living level, sweeping panoramas pour in from all sides, establishing the landscape as a central component of the interior experience. The steel members, salvaged through the owner’s work in demolition, are oversized, scarred, and unevenly rusted.
This industrial skeleton is revealed wherever possible, lending the spaces a distinctive character and standing in vibrant contrast with decidedly opulent – though equally expressive – wood and stone finish selections. Statement lighting fixtures and plush furniture reinforcing the general sense of liveliness and luxury throughout and serve to define spaces within the open plan.
At the far end of the living level, beyond the double-island kitchen, two playful pendants mark the dining area. Beneath them is one of the most unique features of the home – a dining table with an enormous live-edge wood slab cantilevered from one end on salvaged steel beams.
The floating end of the table points out to the landscape, rolling unobscured all the way down to Knik Arm and Mount Susitna beyond.
Gallery
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Jury Comments
“I like this project because the client’s personality really comes through in the work. They were able to repurpose materials from their own demolition business and reinstall them in the project, which leads to an incredibly interesting palette that contrasts rough and refined elements, creating intriguing relationships between the materials in the interior.”
“The project frames key aspects beautifully, especially the use of reclaimed materials, as mentioned, along with the sweeping distant views and refined polished marble. It handles these materials boldly. This residential project is strongly rooted in its context and commands attention with purpose.”
“The views of the landscape serve as a backdrop, contrasting with the man-made materials expressed in both the structure and spaces. The scale and form evoke a time of great industriousness in the region, adding a layer of historical resonance. It also reflects the owner’s sense of place and intent for their residence within this specific context.”
