Inside the Floor Plan: Building on a Slope

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Photos: MossCreek

Building on steep terrain can be tough. Often, the result is a skinny home that snakes along the ridge line with a deck that would give a tightrope walker vertigo. For those minding a budget, a steep lot that necessitates a walk-out basement will drive up the overall square footage and, if finished out, can increase costs. MossCreek has been building in the mountains for years, and the “Longtail” is their solution to the slope/square footage problem.

The Low Down

Named after a cold-water duck whose low physical profile allows it to conserve warmth and energy in the Arctic, “The Longtail” plan is main and lower-level living only, omitting an upper floor. Typically, 3,000 square feet of main-level living would create a corresponding 3,000 square feet in the basement, resulting in extra space that could potentially blow your budget. John Wallace, senior designer at MossCreek, says, “We were trying to come up with something where the lower level became an integral part of the design and not just an afterthought.”

This contoured design creates two fully functional levels in the home. The main floor has the master bedroom, kitchen, dining room, great room and porch. To take advantage of mountain vistas, all living areas have large windows with views to the rear of the home. “If the client doesn’t want any obstructed views,” says John, “they can put that rear porch on the right side of the great room.

On the terrace level, two self-sufficient bedrooms flank the recreational space, which is commonly converted into a den. Each bedroom and the rec room have doors leading to the patio, replacing what was once a troubling slope with a great spot for outdoor entertaining. “Really, it’s not a secondary space,” says John. “The big views and the outdoor living are just as impressive as they are upstairs.”

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The Inside Scoop

Even without an upper floor, the Longtail is built to accommodate a variety of living situations.

Forever Home

This floor plan was designed with retired couples in mind. With everything one needs located on a single level, it cuts out the need for problematic staircases. In this case, the lower level

can be used for extended family and guests.

Family Life

The Longtail carries enough square footage to suit a year-round residence. Kids may especially enjoy their own territory on the terrace level. “Teenagers would love having their own space down there,” says designer John Wallace.

Renting

If the owners want to occupy the main floor, the terrace level has its own entrance and space for a full kitchen, making it ideal as a “lock-out” rental.