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 At the Water's Edge: Architecture Around the Lakes By John Stevens (from the print edition, May 2011) Achitect Jon Sayler remembers fondly his grandparents’ home on Idaho’s Twin Lakes, where he spent his childhood summers. Sayler would delight in observing guests’ expressions upon entering the home, a dramatic structure designed by a Hollywood stage set designer. The large, open floor plan had striking natural wood and rock interior accents and a vast view overlooking the lake. “Guests would enter the building and gasp with delight,” he recalls. “I knew from an early age I wanted to be the guy that made people feel like that.” And so began Sayler’s quest to design homes with that magical “wow” factor. Fast-forward to present-day Sandpoint, Idaho. In Sayler’s office, located in a historic bungalow, numerous awards are displayed on the walls (including several from the American Institute of Architects), hung beside stunning photos of recent projects. It’s clear Jon Sayler has fulfilled his calling: creating architectural magic with every one of his designs. Sayler’s work is well-recognized throughout the Northwest. Although he is perhaps best known for his signature lodge-style, recent projects span the design (and budgetary) spectrum: from lavish lakeside European-style castles to cost effective, contemporary chalets. Many of Sayler’s clients are vacation homeowners around the North Idaho lakes region, hailing from nearby Spokane and Seattle, to San Diego, Phoenix, even Germany and Japan. His work also extends beyond residential design; he is currently completing a small-scale winery/hotel project in Walla Walla, and a mission campus in Swaziland, Africa. And even though Sayler is thrilled to work on projects wherever they take him, he’s happy to call Sandpoint home. “I love living here,” he exclaims. “It’s beautiful everyday – the lake shows us so many different moods. It’s a great place to work, play and pursue my passion: architecture.” It’s that passion that keeps Sayler’s clients coming back for more. Congratulations, Jon. I think your grandparents would be proud. Perched above the rugged shoreline of Lake Pend Oreille, just a few miles from his downtown Sandpoint office, stands a magnificent home Sayler designed, recently built by Mountain View Construction. “This was an extraordinary, but challenging site,” notes Sean Gavin, Mountain View’s president and owner. The home is built into a steep, solid-granite cliff overlooking Dover Bay, the lake and the Pend Oreille River. “Jon’s design called for the structure to be set into the rocky hillside, creating stunning views from every room,” adds Gavin. A series of patios, enhanced with elegant, curved translucent roofs, maximize the spectacular views and allow for all-season outdoor access. Specialty custom-details add to the home’s appeal: color-matched craftsman-style cabinetry, impressive cast concrete fireplaces, stained-glass doors, and precision-finished tongue & groove ceilings. A stunning interior tree sculpture divides the living, dining and kitchen areas. These Sayler-designed touches are welcome project specifications at Mountain View Construction. “We love a challenge, and take great pride in our attention to detail,” notes Sean’s wife Jamie, who is also a Certified Green Professional (CGP) and has worked in the construction trade since she was a teenager at her father’s building supply store in Montana. Both she and Sean moved to North Idaho in 2000. Sean was first hired as a project manager at Mountain View in 2005, quickly became a partner, and purchased the business just two years later. Together with a team of industry professionals, Sean and Jamie proudly continue Mountain View Construction’s 30+ year history in the region. About an hour’s drive from Sandpoint is pristine Priest Lake, a location renowned for its exceptional scenery, wildlife, and unspoiled natural beauty. This picturesque setting boasts more than 100 homes built by one of the area’s top builders, Sandau Builders. What began as a small business in 1978 building shops and garages, has since grown into one of North Idaho’s premier construction firms, specializing in custom lake homes. The company’s areas of expertise include fine woodworking, detailed cabinetry, and integration wiring. “We think of the homes we build as truly hand crafted,” explains Mike Sandau, who runs the family business, working side-by-side with wife Emma and sons Von and Beau. “Exceptional workmanship is what makes exceptional homes,” he adds. Case in point: a stunning Jon Sayler design that Sandau recently completed, ensconced on a bluff above Priest’s wooded shoreline. This rustic, yet elegant charmer, set into a steep hillside, has a dramatic roofline built to match the slope of the site. The entrance to the home is on the third level, connected to the adjacent land by a dramatic 50-foot bridge. The bridge cuts through the open exterior design, providing access to both the entryway and the site’s waterfront facade, not to mention lovely lake vistas through the forest. Speaking of forests, Sandau goes to great lengths to protect existing trees and vegetation of a site. “Surrounding land helps make a home unique, and should complement structural placement and design,” he notes. No stranger to site challenges, Sandau expertly tackles lakeside construction one project at a time. “We’ve built many hillside homes that almost seem to defy gravity,” he says with a smile. Now that’s what I call service. Nestled amidst towering, timbered mountains, lies peaceful Hayden Lake and its mirror-like crystal blue waters. Along the lake’s scenic eastern shore is a stunning property, encompassing a main lodge and guest cabins, on 100 acres of forested land and nearly 2,000 feet of waterfront. This Sayler-designed family “camp,” was meticulously brought to life by Silvey Construction. Mike Silvey vividly recalls many unique features of this incredible project. He and his team worked on and off for two years installing miles of conduit, gas, water and sewer lines before starting the main house. Environmental impact was minimized and great care taken to protect the nearby osprey nesting grounds. “Bridges were built over wetlands, 180 feet in total length, with the tree canopy and surrounding vegetation left as untouched as possible,” he notes. The focal point of the property is the 9000 square-foot lodge with magnificent windows and a dramatic cantilevered roof. Local, lakefront touches make the home truly unique, from canoe-paddle railing designs to a massive stone fireplace in the shape of the state of Idaho. There’s a consistency of quality and design evident in the project that speak to Silvey Construction’s experience and attention to detail. A family-owned firm, Mike has spent nearly 40 years in the business and now enjoys working with his son Jared. And although the company has evolved over time (they now offer full service development and construction services and specialize in medical and dental buildings), Silvey still finds great reward in custom homebuilding. “We build one or two each year,” he states. “It’s very satisfying to build a family’s dream home on a lake that will provide memories for generations to come.” John Stevens is Seattle Magazine’s Northwest Home design columnist. The publishers would like to thank Coeur d'Alene-based Edwards Smith Construction for their support of our "Architecture Around the Lakes" section. Premier builders in the North Idaho region, Edwards Smith specializes in luxury residential and commercial projects, providing exceptional client experience, and complete home management services with precise attention to detail. |
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