3515 Oakridge Rd.; Omaha, NE (Ponca Hills) (map | directions)
Ron Hackett – Architect

Tucked into the bluffs of the Missouri River, everything about the site and home is vertical, from the steep hills to the towering oaks, you find yourself continuously looking and moving upward. And the house is no different: it utilizes a small footprint, stacking spaces vertically to move you through the landscape. It engages and captures the site’s verticality while absorbing the forest environment. The home continuously connects you to the outdoors through large openings designed to frame and interact with the vertical timbers while utilizing the tree canopy for shade and privacy.

First and foremost the house is designed to bring the family together to encourage interaction and involvement with each other. Because the kitchen is the heart of the home, where family and guests are naturally drawn, it is in the center of the structure with all other spaces radiating from it. The open floor plan then connects all spaces both horizontally and vertically, allowing everyone to feel connected. The feeling of togetherness, the abundance of natural daylight, and the home’s transparency make it a joy to live in.