Riverbend Residence

The Brief

A retired couple wanted a home on the Deschutes River. Their priority: every room should feel connected to the water, but they also needed protection from the intense Central Oregon sun in summer.

The Study

We modeled sun angles for every hour of every day. The south-facing river view that made the site desirable also made it brutally hot from May through September. We also studied how the couple moved through their current home — they spent most of their time in two rooms.

The Response

We designed a deep covered porch that runs the length of the house — a liminal space between inside and out. In summer, it blocks the high sun. In winter, the low sun penetrates deep into the living room. The master bedroom opens directly to the river via a sliding glass wall that disappears into the wall cavity.

The Result

The couple reports they no longer use air conditioning — the passive design keeps the house comfortable through 100°F days. Their energy bill is 40% lower than their previous home of the same size.