Philip and Alexa Falconer recently completed the construction of a custom home in Waterville, Washington, using several design and cost strategies to blend the house seamlessly into its rugged, boulder-strewn landscape while managing expenses effectively. The project was guided by architect Steven Booher of Syndicate Smith, based in Leavenworth, Washington, who emphasized simplicity and practical choices throughout the process.

The house’s design revolves around fitting naturally into the terrain, which Booher described as making the home “like another rock” within the landscape. Careful site selection involved extensive scouting to find a relatively flat area with fewer boulders, reducing the need for expensive structural work such as retaining walls and minimizing potential blasting costs. The Falconers secured a contractor who agreed to a final fixed price for the build, with an added $90,000 contingency for rock removal that ultimately went unused.

Booher’s two-story design allowed for efficient use of square footage without expanding the home’s footprint, contributing to cost containment. He avoided costly elements such as roof overhangs on decks by leaving them uncovered and incorporated large but deliberately sized windows to balance the expense of glass with providing framed views of the surroundings. The use of a sunken living room enhanced ceiling height perception economically, eliminating the need for additional drywall typically required for taller rooms.

Wooden ceilings, a design preference of the Falconers, were installed only on the first floor due to budget constraints, reducing wood costs by approximately 30%. The material was sourced directly from a local lumber mill and stained on-site rather than purchasing prefinished product. For the exterior, the homeowners requested fire-resistant metal cladding initially intended to be zinc panels, which would have cost about $175,000. Instead, the architect selected corrugated metal used in varied orientations to mimic zinc’s aesthetic at roughly half the price.

The Falconers also chose to forgo professional landscaping, opting to personally develop the outdoor grounds. Alexa made a notable personal compromise by foregoing a $15,000 stone bathtub she had wished for, noting spatial and customization costs as prohibitive factors.

Now residing temporarily near Seattle due to Alexa’s frequent work travel, the Falconers plan to use the Waterville home for weekends and vacations while considering building a future residence closer to the Seattle area. Reflecting on the build, Philip described the experience positively, noting it was enjoyable to create a home tailored closely to their vision and surroundings.