| Constructed by Hill Custom Homes, Home 2000 showcases the latest in exterior and interior design concepts. Although the homeÆs mission-style exterior is unique for this area, Hill incorporated Northwestern details such as dry-stack ledgestone into its design to maintain its local appeal.
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Jeff Hill of Hill Custom Homes took a new approachùliterallyùwhen he created this 3879-square-foot contemporary showcase home in the gated community of Canterwood Golf and Country Club in Gig Harbor, Washington.
Calling the project "Home 2000," Hill says his goal was to build a prototype that would serve as a vanguard for the latest in design and materials available for the high-end housing market. He says he opted to build this high-tech marvel as a spec project so that he would be free to make it as innovative as possible.
"I wanted to use the newest, coolest products availableùall in one home," says Hill, who approached his suppliers with the request for their cutting edge technology for everything from appliances to lighting to entertainment to home automation. Home 2000 will even interface with technology that is not on the market yet, he says, via its expandable state-of-the-art integrated cable and wiring system.
| "The rooms in this home were designed to multi-task," says designer Wendy Schryver, citing the great room as a good example. The open design of this space, which is open to the kitchen and nook, allows the family to use the space for relaxing, watching television, entertaining or conversing with someone preparing meals. The fireplace features an 18-inch travertine tile.
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The result is a four-bedroom, family-friendly charmer that promises the homeowners plenty of flexibility as their lifestyle needs change. Hill knows what local buyers are looking for in a new home. He builds 20 to 30 custom and spec projects per year ranging from $300,000 to over $800,000.
In this case, he reworked what began as a stock plan into Home 2000, adding 1000 square feet of living space along the way. Hill says that he likes to include what he calls "swing areas" into his projects. These are rooms that are adaptable for a variety of functions. This homeÆs swing area is its den. Tucked into a corner on the first floor, the room is purposely removed from the main traffic pattern, providing the necessary privacy required for its use as a home office. Yet, with its adjoining full bath and main-level location, this room could also serve as a guest room or in-law suite.
The home features a relatively narrow footprint with the living space organized in a front-to-back orientation linked by a two-story central core created by the formal dining room, staircase and mezzanine.
According to Hill, the homeÆs real living room is the spacious informal zone that includes the great room, kitchen and nook. The open design of this space encourages interaction between all three areas.
| A soaring window wall in the formal dining room captures the view of the homeÆs side courtyard. The adjoining formal living room functions as a conversation parlor.
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Although all four of the bedrooms are located on the second floor, this level is as multifunctional as the rest of the house and includes a study center, loft/sitting area and, of course, the laundry room. "I always put the laundry room on the second floor," says Hill. "ItÆs just the most practical spot for todayÆs family."
Another feature that Hill says his clients find desirable is the second-floor location for the master suite. "Parents donÆt want to be right on top of the kids rooms, but not too far from them either," he says. The bridge/loft space offers an ideal solution, giving the master suite an element of separation, and providing a spot for a reading room or watching television. The master suite also includes its own wrap-around deck.
Hill also determined that the homeÆs exterior style should be new for the area. "I wanted to break from the standard Northwest look," says Hill. "We incorporated many mission elements into the design, but softened them up by using local materials like stone and a soft color palette."
A porte cochFre creates an inner courtyard and minimizes the impact of the three-car garage. Hard costs for the home were $152 per square foot, with vendor discounts providing savings.
After Home 2000 was completed last September, Hill opened it up for a month-long public tour that attracted over 5000 visitors. Donations collected during the open house benefited a local childrenÆs hospital.
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Home Features:
Builder: Hill Custom Homes, Gig Harbor, Wash.
Architect: Cascade Residential Design, Tacoma, Wash.
Interior Design: Interiors Northwest, Tacoma, Wash.
Major Products Used:
Appliances: G.E. Monogram
Cabinetry: Tacoma Fixtures
Countertops: Custom Granite, Import Stone Co.
Doors (interior and exterior): Simpson Door Co.
Exterior Finish: Synergy (EIFS); James Hardie
Exterior Stone: Stone Products Co.
Awnings: E.G.E. Awnings & Sunscreens
Fireplace: Heat-n-Glo
Flooring: Model Hardwood Co.
Home Controls/Automation: Phast System; OnQ
HVAC: Carrier
Lighting: Seattle Lighting Co.; Schlage; Juno; Dolan Design
Plumbing Fixtures: Moen
Roofing: Monier LifeTile
Windows: Andersen.
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