“Tsunami House,” a newly-remodeled family dwelling on Camano Island, is getting a lot of attention lately, and it is easy to see why. A Daily Journal of Commerce article tells the story of the modern and functional abode with special features required by mother nature (and local land code).
When the homeowners went to do a remodel in 2006, they found that the floodplain maps for the area had been redrawn and the home was in a “V-Zone” meaning that it had to be designed to withstand big waves. This didn’t stop the architects or homeowners from moving forward on creating a warm and contemporary plan – it just added a few extra “requirements” – including living space that begins 9 feet above ground, “break-away” walls, and electrical outlets placed high on the walls.
We are also pretty sure that part of the reason for the attention is the tongue-in-cheek attitude of the homeowners – from the provocative name for the property to the sculptured “wave” panel around the fireplace – they have embraced the potential danger of the home’s location and let it inspire the home’s aesthetic.