17701 Webster Blvd.; Plattsmouth, NE (map | directions)
Jared Gerber – Architect

With its hill-covered burr oak trees and grassy plateau, this site north of Plattsmouth creates a natural stage for a residence to have both a nestled feeling within the trees as well as wide-open views of nearby wildlife. The structure stretches across the plateau with the viewing tower on one end of the house and the garages on the other hidden within the trees, leaving a welcoming entry in clear view.

The house massing is diminished with a change of materials: a stone wainscot at the base, clapboard siding on the main level, and shake siding within the gables that lead to a shingled roof with standing seam metal roofing accents. The siding, divided-light windows and heavy timber entry porch convey an image that could easily be labeled traditional, but a closer look reveals several modern nuances. Once entering the house, the contemporary overtone is created by the restraint: lightly colored, tall walls with unembellished ceilings form clean, simple lines that communicate an uncluttered look. The unadorned trim continues this understated look with a color slightly lighter than the wall. The items that draw the eye upward are the clerestory windows in several rooms and heavy wood scissor-trusses in the great room. The only upper level area is the viewing tower on the west end of the house that is accessed by a secret staircase.

The end result is a very comfortable, livable home that is functional for the homeowners and their young family.