Moose and Coyotes Cross Under this Cliffside House | Rimrock

The particular form of Rimrock – a T-shaped structure – responds to the unique topography of the bluff upon which it is situated. At the edge of a cliff, the house straddles two sides of wash atop a stable outcropping of tough, slow-cooled volcanic basalt. The name “rimrock” refers to this type of geological occurrence with a sheer rock wall at the upper edge of a plateau or canyon. The seam below the house serves as a natural and preexisting route for animals, including moose and coyotes, crucially integrated into the design. Even with the house now in place, they can move freely. The living area is constructed over the wash, ensuring that forest animals - making their way from the high forest plateau to the Spokane River 300 feet below - are not in any way impeded while the occupants of the house are given a one-of-a-kind view of this ancient, animal-kingdom rite. Aware that changing wind patterns in winter can lead to substantial snow drifts, elevating the house above ground level allows for