Project name: Dune House
Architect firm: Waechter Architecture
Location: North Oregon Coast, United States
Photo: Pablo Enriquez
Area: 168 m2
Year: 2026
Project description from design firms
Located along the northern Oregon Coast, the Dune House strikes a balance between contextual sensitivity to local landscape and building traditions and the creation of a timeless and iconic form.
A simple box in plan, the exterior is clad in weathering cedar shingles, one of the most prevalent building materials in the region. This more rugged exterior is paired with a restrained interior palette of oak flooring and paneling, along with minimal trim, giving the building a calm, carved, and monolithic presence.
A streamlined organizational concept centers around a skylit interior courtyard and multi-purpose space, which is framed by two private bedroom suites, a kitchen and dining alcove, services, and support spaces. From the bedrooms and primary living spaces, framed views of the coastal dunescape provide an ideal space for rest and contemplation.
About Waechter Architecture
Waechter Architecture is a Pacific Northwest–based, award-winning interdisciplinary design practice with an acclaimed portfolio spanning diverse project types.
Guided by the experiential qualities of the built environment, our work is defined by clear organization, thoughtful integration, economical design, and a refined material palette. We look to the past to inform the future—combining the enduring simplicity of traditional buildings with contemporary systems and material technologies to create architecture that is both highly sustainable and built to last.
Our collaborative approach invites clients, partners, and communities to share in the art of building. Working closely with stakeholders, we identify essential needs, uncover opportunities, and develop a shared vision that leads to architecture that is both enduring and responsive. At the core of our practice is a culture that values diverse perspectives and treats our clients as equal partners in the design process.
We believe architecture plays a meaningful role in human well-being. Beyond performance metrics, healthy buildings are shaped by light, air, materiality, and proportion—by spaces that support daily rhythms and offer moments of calm and connection. Our work prioritizes spaces that are easily understood, have access to daylight and fresh air, and utilize materials chosen for both durability and their tactile, sensory qualities. By designing environments that feel intuitive and restorative, we aim to create architecture that supports the people who live, work, and gather within it.
