Details
Since 4604 W Raye Street occupies such a unique and extraordinary piece of property, it enjoys an exceptional level of engineering and attention to detail in its construction. The house sits atop a massive concrete foundation that is secured to its hillside with structural steel pilings, thus ensuring long-term geotechnical stability and a secure footing for generations to come. To facilitate the house’s unique projection into its surroundings, cantilevered steel I-beams, spread footings, and welded steel perimeter beams have been incorporated to support every overhang and deck, creating a high degree of structural integrity. Wide flange steel, wood and concrete retaining walls are tied in throughout the structure to provide further structural integrity and prevent soil erosion. A sophisticated drainage system takes all water from the roof and patios off the property and directly into city drains. Finally, native, drought tolerant landscaping creates beautiful and natural outdoor spaces, while also retaining the hillside upon which the house is set.
The house was constructed from the finest natural materials available by a team of master craftspeople. Windows, doors, soffits, and interior trim details were all created from solid, clear, vertical grain Douglas fir, with dimensional white oak employed in casework, cabinetry, flooring and the staircase. Similarly, all exterior trim pieces, as well as decks and roofing soffits were built from select, vertical grain fir for long-term durability and a visual quality that is difficult to achieve with more mundane products. Throughout the house, all doors are solid core and custom heights to compliment soaring ceilings and windows, while the entry door is a masterpiece of fine wood and metal working. All hardware is by Sun Valley Bronze.
Travertine marble, granite, and honed slate are used throughout the kitchen, baths, and entry level to create a warm feeling of permanence, subtly complimented by custom copper accents that continue outside in the form of gutters and downspouts. All interior lighting fixtures were custom designed and fabricated from patinated copper and steel by artist John Geise to match similarly stunning metal fireplace surrounds. With an artful attention to detail, this house has been carefully planned and executed to present a finished product that is both beautiful and of heirloom quality.
Infrastructure and comfort systems are all state-of-the-art, starting with a hybrid heating and cooling system that provides in-floor radiant heat to the garage and ground level. Discreet, zoned, high-efficiency furnaces and air conditioning units supplying forced air to each of the two above-grade floors, and an instant hot-water system provides an unlimited supply. The entire house is CAT-5 wired for networking, and all integrated lighting systems are low-voltage, with Iris fixtures providing focusable spotlighting for art and collections. Daily clean-up is a snap with dedicated ground floor and bedroom-level laundry rooms. Whole-house audio provides effortless sound, while a monitored security system affords a high degree of protection, all supported by integrated circuitry for backup power. Power operated exterior awnings and shades allow the house to be battened down and protected during bouts of severe weather. Finally, an elevator runs from the fully finished garage up to the top floor, allowing for easy accessibility.
