House party: honoring the West's great architecture

Sunset, July, 2005

"The best homes celebrate their settings," says Dan Gregory, Sunset senior Home editor. If that's the case, then the house shown above clearly knows how to party. Tucked into a slope overlooking the Oregon coast, the house is almost transparent--you can look right through it out to the sea or back to the forest. Two decks--one open, one sheltered--maximize residents' opportunity to savor the home's breathtaking location.

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Such unforgettable houses--artfully tied to nature or rooted in their region--are the hallmarks of Sunset's Western Home Awards, cosponsored by Sunset and the American Institute of Architects. First held in 1957, it's the oldest such program in the country. One of the original awards went to Richard Neutra; we've been recognizing trendsetters and innovators ever since. The Oregon coast house, designed by Boora Architects in Portland, was a winner in 1997.

The search is on for the best examples of Western architecture for our 2005 competition. Architects and owners of new homes (completed since January 2003) from the 13 Western states and western Canada are invited to submit completed designs to be considered for an award in one of six categories. The initial deadline is August 1. For information, visit www.sunset.com/wha or write to Sunset Western Home Awards, 80 Willow Rd., Menlo Park, CA 94025, or call 650/324-5424.