After completing work on Ed and Joanne Ellis’ primary residence in Bainbridge Island—the first LEED Platinum residence in Washington—Coates Design Architects was called upon again by the couple to design their legacy vacation home, this time on a site an hour east of Seattle in the Cascade Mountains.

As with the first commission, the clients envisioned the new single-family house—named Tumble Creek Cabin—with modern and sustainable design sensibilities.

Yet, unlike the Bainbridge Island property, the extreme climate in Cle Elum proved a greater challenge when it came to creating a comfortable environment without the use of traditional heating and cooling systems.

Using a combination of passive solar strategies and high-performance insulation, the architects crafted a home that consumes net-zero energy thanks to a 10-kWh photovoltaic solar panel and energy recovery systems.

Since Ed and Joanne saw the house as a legacy property for their extended family, the design caters to multigenerational use. In addition to the two primary bedroom suites and bunk room in the main house, Tumble Creek Cabin also includes a guest suite in a standalone building to the south.

Care was taken to minimize energy loss, from the initial siting of the home to the interior layout.

“An entry vestibule and mudroom conserves energy and creates an elegant entry into the main living space,” note the architects of the self-contained entrance foyer in the main house. “This room serves double duty as a special place to welcome visitors and an air lock to keep the outdoor elements contained. Wintertime’s chilly drafts and summer’s excessive heat are kept at bay with this simple solution.”

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Coates Design, Inc.

Builder/ General Contractor: Brock Smith Custom Homes

Structural Engineer: Quantum Consulting Engineers

Civil Engineer: Encompass Engineering & Surveying

Landscape Design Company: Leuner Landscape Design, Inc.

Interior Design: All in the Details / Coates Design Architects

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A Net-Zero Home Shrugs Off Winter With Solar-Energy Comfort