Landscape Architect Articles

Thompson Lake House 02-13-20 | Feature

Thompson Lake House

Eagle, Idaho
by Wesley Baumgartner, Cushing Terrell

Stone terraces, planting beds, a large patio, and a recirculating stream cascading back into the lake, adorn the exterior of this 80-acre property in Eagle, Idaho. The client envisioned a private retreat of wood, glass, and concrete that glows like a jewel box on the lake. Landscape architect, Cushing Terrell, was chosen to bring the vision to life. The firm began the design process in March of 2016.

Perhaps the most impressive view is from the living room through the patio to the man-made beach, lake, vegetation, and a significant cultural landmark beyond the trees. The hangar doors draw residents and visitors outdoors and help blur the lines between being inside and outside. This interior/exterior connection was key to the overall vision of the project.

Comfortable seating was included on the large, lakeside patio to accommodate gatherings of all sizes. The patio is constructed of concrete pavers and is broken by at-grade planting beds. Operable hangar doors lift up, inviting family and guests outside.

On the left is the Lot 2 plan leading from the patio, with stairway access to the beach from the boardwalk. On the right is the same, with the patio leading through the lawn panel, and to the boardwalk, which gives access to the beach.

On the north side of the residence, formal plantings were designed to reflect the character of the architecture. A mix of grasses, evergreen shrubs, flowering shrubs and perennials, and ornamental trees were used to provide year-round interest. A lawn area was included to provide space for events or passive recreation.

A drought-tolerant and native wildflower mix, with Dwarf Redtwig Dogwood, Slowmound Mugo Pine, Birchleaf Spirea, and Wine and Roses Weigela, were used to soften the stone and pavers while providing a feeling of respite. Boulders were used to help transition the modern architecture into the natural environment. Wide stone steps lead guests to and from the beach.

Water from the lake is recirculated to a water feature that cascades into a pond, flowing into a stream providing identity and a feeling of respite on the east patio. Planting of trees and native shrubs on a canvas of fescue grass cover large berms on the east and west sides of the property.

For the vehicular drop-off for guests to the north, pavers were used to provide a more elegant experience. An allée of trees helps focus the view from the outside to the front door.

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The owners of Thompson Lake House in Eagle, Idaho envisioned a family oasis that could be restful and serene, yet open and welcoming and capable of entertaining large gatherings. They visualized an environment that blended interior and exterior seamlessly into its surroundings. Cushing Terrell was selected to make the clients' dreams a reality. The team began construction on the 80-acre site in the summer of 2016 and completed the project in April of 2017.

Project Challenges and Solutions
With only 40 days to design and submit for permits, construction and lead-times were expedited and material selection was limited. Exercising restraint to allow true materials to express elegant, simple, and unobstructed beauty was the
predominant challenge.

The overall site was originally a cattle ranch. Most of the property was then converted to a gravel mine and dewatered. Through cattle and mining operations, the natural environment of the site was severely damaged.

Once the mining operations were complete, landscape architects were brought in to restore the property. An existing stream, negatively impacted by the cattle operations, was restored with extensive native vegetation and with pools and gravel bars for feeder fish and spawning beds. Natural water flow was allowed back into the mining pits forming lakes with constructed islands consisting of native plants attractive to waterfowl. Newly constructed green space included a comprehensive planting of trees and native shrubs, meandering streams, and areas of open space. Low water use fescue was seeded as the tree understory. To make the site suitable for residential and recreational use, engineered soil and stone terraced walls were used to raise four large lots out of the flood zone.

Lot 2 was envisioned as a single-family oasis that could be restful and serene yet open and welcoming. The client wanted the interior and exterior to blend effortlessly together. To accomplish this, architects and landscape architects worked closely together to assure this seamless transition was accomplished. Large windows and operable hanger doors allow for the extension of enclosed space to flow into the integrated outdoor space. The home was carefully aligned to provide focused views to significant outside features such as the lake, waterfalls, forested berms, and the temple on a distant hill.

To experience the landscape, one enters the site crossing a stone bridge and driving through an allée of trees. On the left is an open lawn set aside for recreation and special events. A circular drop area allows for easy access to the house. Paver walkways direct guests indoors or alongside a meandering stream, past a cascading waterfall, and to the large lakeside patio. Footbridges cross the stream and introduce users to a long boardwalk that terminates on one end over the waterfall pool and on the other at a viewing platform above the lake. The back patio is terraced via locally-quarried sandstone walls above a sand beach at the edge of the lake. The terraces are planted with a variety of drought tolerant and native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees to provide color, movement, and a feeling of respite. The majority of the hardscape, both vehicular and pedestrian, is comprised of dry set concrete pavers that allow for the percolation of stormwater.

Conclusion
Thompson Lake House is a great example of landscape architects, architects, and a visionary client working closely together to create an urban oasis that celebrates a harmonious relationship between indoor and outdoor living. Relaxing in a comfortable chair on the patio overlooking the lake at the end of the day -- it is awe-inspiring to reflect upon how far the site has come.

And as our architectural designer Jason Yates stated, "Standing on the completed site now is an almost magical experience -- though you're a stone's throw from a busy road, you feel transported to a true oasis."

This was truly an integrated effort between design team, contractor, and owner. Multiple weekly onsite meetings, an unrelenting and rigorous eye for detail, ordering materials before the design was complete, and a constant focus on purity and simplicity guided the design and construction process. Tight communication and deep trust allowed the team to think outside the box and finish the home from design to completion in less than a year.

Thompson Lake House is an example of adaptive reuse through the conversion of a damaged site into a beautiful oasis for the enjoyment of both humans and wildlife.

Team List
Landscape Architecture - Wesley Baumgartner and Debra Rosa, Cushing Terrell; Loring M. Evans, Montgomery, Inc.
Architecture - Joshua Hersel (PM); David Koel (PIC); Jason Yates (Designer); Eric Nagel - (CADD Drafter) - Cushing Terrell
Contractor - ESI, Inc.
Civil Engineer - KM Engineering
Structural Engineer - Tom Poremba, Cushing Terrell
Mechanical Engineer - Tim Johnson, Cushing Terrell
Electrical Engineer - Ken Butler, Cushing Terrell
Geotechnical Engineer - MTI
Lighting - Ken Butler, Cushing Terrell
Interior Designer - Fitz | Murphey Interiors
Theatrical/AV - Audio Video Systems

As seen in LASN magazine, February 2020.