Creekside Contemporary

What was once an awkwardly sited house on a challenging Incline Village lot — bordered by a protected creek and wetland — is now a 4,200-square-foot mountain-modern residence that sits comfortably in its forested setting and stops passersby in their tracks. By removing the existing structure and repositioning the home along the street frontage, the design unlocked direct access to a single living level, a lake view, and an expansive private terraced yard enveloped in native vegetation. The signature architectural move is the staggered shed roof facing the creek, which carves out soaring vaulted ceilings and floods the interior with natural light — culminating in a dramatic triple-height great room that feels as open and alive as the landscape surrounding it.

The details inside are equally considered. A custom floating glass staircase serves as the visual heart of the great room, its transparency preserving sightlines through the home's many windows. An 18-foot sliding glass door opens the living space completely to a landscaped patio with a fire pit, outdoor kitchen, and covered dining — a transition so seamless that indoors and out feel like one continuous space. What began as a developer's spec vision became something far more personal — the owners fell in love with the home as it took shape and made it their own. Recognized with a Merit Award for Mountain Modern by Tahoe Quarterly's 2023 Mountain Home Awards, this project is a testament to what happens when a challenging site meets an architect with the vision to see past it.

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Architect. GilanFarr Architecture
Builder. McMahan Homes
Landscape Design. Luna Enterprises
Awards. 2023 Tahoe Quarterly Mountain Home Awards