In the high deserts of central Oregon, an experimental and elemental structure is taking form. Two buildings have been sited amongst old-growth juniper trees on the edge of the Crooked River canyon.  This rugged eight acre property offers dramatic views of distant mountains and the river, almost 500' below.  The positioning of the buildings were oriented to capture as much natural light as possible, create stunning views, but also discreetly mask the neighboring properties. 

The workshop, under construction now, and the main house, to be constructed in 2025, share similar design characteristics: both are built using a unique, passive-design concrete construction technique and both have custom, oversized, glass sliding doors that will slip inside the exterior walls. The idea being that when the doors are open and hidden within the walls, one will feel as if they are living inside a cave at the top of a cliff.

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The clients approached Dean Works with a spare design brief: passive design to minimize energy demands, poured-in-place concrete expressed throughout, simple but elegant detailing, and fluid connection to the outdoors.  It is an ideal Dean Works project.