Northwest
HOUSE PLANS

What are Northwest-style house plans?

Northwest House Plans make exceptional use of exterior design materials created to enhance "Mother Nature" and its response to sharing space with organic architecture. This harmonious union between nature and man was brought to life by marrying the outdoors and man's vision of a natural living space.

The primary use of stone and wood introduce organic materials, while the addition of generous amounts of glass help brings the outdoors in. This indoor/outdoor marriage of living space is further captured with open floor plan interiors, floor-to-ceiling window views, and large sliders that open to the outdoor space. Expansive decks, covered porches, and massive outdoor space create an environment in which the soul and spirit of this particular area are granted a license to breathe and instinctively live without competing with its natural surroundings.

Outdoor living space is a hallmark of Northwest house plans and an answer to the consistent mantra of getting "back to nature." An innate passion for the outdoors is integral to family and social life in the Northwest. Clever design technology has enabled homeowners to co-exist with its harsh terrain, melancholy weather, and unparalleled beauty.

A varied blend of open and covered outdoor space allows one to enjoy the outdoors because of, or despite, the weather conditions. Large open decks, protected verandas, and covered or wraparound porches offer year-round outdoor entertaining and family living space in a highly desired spot for gathering, relaxing, and making lifetime memories.

What is the Pacific Northwest design style?

Designed and built for an area of the country that receives excessive rain, goes long periods without natural sunlight, and can be dark and dreary, the Pacific Northwest design style maximizes natural light and provides shelter from the outdoor elements.

Expansive window views, deep overhangs, and organic design materials capture sunlight, provide protection from all types of precipitation, and the often included, muted earth tones are a welcome contrast to the moody skies.

These house plans take advantage of the Northwest coastline's varied landscape, including Washington State, Oregon, and other regions of the Pacific Northwest. Lush foliage, steep and rocky hillsides, serene valleys, and fierce shorelines compete in this natural environment, making introducing living, breathing home structures into this regional habitat challenging.

Some design styles initially seem more suited to the Northwest. Craftsman, Contemporary, and Bungalows immediately come to mind with their more rugged, organic design materials; however, other design styles like Victorian, Ranch, and A-frame homes are also becoming popular choices.

What are the components of the Northwest house style?

Sustainable design materials and principles are influential components of the Northwest house style due to the region's specific weather, natural landscape, and affinity for living with, not against, the neighboring environment. The rustic terrain in this part of the United States also lends itself to Cabin and Lodge homes. These home styles reflect the rugged outdoors with stone fireplaces, large beams in warm woods, and natural home furnishings. This potent mixture of design elements works because each is unpretentious, homey, and genuine.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Northwest-style house plans?

Pacific Northwest house plans feature open floor plans, large windows, and minimalistic designs accentuating the surrounding landscapes. This type of plan offers several advantages, including abundant natural light, easy entertaining, more space for the family, and a higher resale value.

However, there are some disadvantages to the open floor plan design that makes Northwest modern house plans so appealing in the first place. Concealing clutter can be difficult; there is less wall space for art and decor, fewer load-bearing walls, and less privacy, it is costlier to cool or heat, and it is typically more expensive to build.

Take these all into consideration when looking at Northwest house plans.

What size are Northwest houses?

While most Northwest house designs are simple construction and free of ostentatious ornamentation, these homes can easily fall into the heading of small, large, and luxury homes. Different category styles and square footage ranges make the homes desirable to a large population segment. Our extensive collection of Northwest house plans ranges from the humble – 960 square feet to the magnificent – 10,275 square feet with a medium range of 2,800 square feet.

Are Northwest house plans economical for house design?

Generally, Northwest house plans are economical for house design since they are typically made of wood and other natural materials, which can be sourced locally or inexpensively. However, the overall cost of constructing a Northwest house plan will depend on the materials used, the house's size, and the design's complexity.