This net-zero-ready home sits on a steep, wooded site in Bellevue, overlooking Lake Sammamish. The slope was the main constraint. The view was the opportunity.

To take advantage of the site, the layout flips the typical house arrangement. The kitchen and main living spaces are placed on the upper level, where they open directly to a large deck with panoramic lake views. Entry occurs at the main level, where a double-height space connects visitors visually and physically to the living areas above.

Bedrooms are distributed across the upper and main levels. A guest room and flexible living space sit on the lower level, while the garage is tucked into the hillside to minimize its impact on the site.

A large overhanging roof defines the upper level. It tilts south to support a future solar array and is sized for rainwater collection. The overhang provides summer shade and winter rain protection, allowing the deck to be used year-round.

The home is designed for long-term efficiency, with solar-ready infrastructure, rainwater harvesting capacity, and an orientation that works with the landscape rather than against it.

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