Building a custom designed house probably ranks high on every homeowner’s dream list. At Suncadia, we know how important it is for members of our community to build a home they will love for years to come, one that fits their lifestyle and that they are happy to come home to weekend after weekend. This week we chat with Matt Rudolph, Founder and CEO of Gravitate Design + Build. Matt and his team are the designers behind a new property being built at 201 Portal Court.

“This is our first home in Suncadia and our goal is to have a minimal impact on the natural habitat, create an open floorplan and maximize the views,” says Matt. As builders. Matt believes they have a responsibility to be stewards of the land on which they build, an approach to construction that Suncadia embraces. “In that vein, we try to place the home carefully to minimize disruption of the trees and surrounding habitat.”

Set within a stone’s throw from Rope Rider golf course, the home Gravitate are designing features 2,451 square feet of living space on two levels, four bedrooms, three bathrooms and soaring windows and doors that open to outdoor living spaces. “We call this design project the ‘Green Zone’ because the house, which sits at the 7th green on Rope Rider, will offer the owners unobstructed views of the green,” says Matt. “We will have a great outdoor space on the green side with a fire pit for those beautiful evenings. And in the winter, you will still be able to take it all in from the living room, with its huge wall of windows facing the golf course, or from the upper covered deck, which is outfitted with its own fireplace.”

There are many beautiful homes tucked away in the forest, by the golf courses, or close to all the Suncadia action, but this one truly stands out. Offering radiant floor heating, custom cabinetry, heated garages and designer touches throughout, the style of this home is what Matt has dubbed Northwest Contemporary. Featuring giant Glulam beams on a minimal roof pitch, the house design shows off the natural wood and construction details from the inside and out. The stairs will be open beams and visible through driveway side windows as well.

“We really tried to blur the lines between the indoor and outdoor spaces with all the windows,” says Matt. “I think that people want to have a feeling of being outside while inside in the winter. This house achieves that.” Designed with family living and entertaining in mind, the house offers separate wings, perfect for offering privacy (and quiet) between kid and adult areas. A true home for adventurers and nature lovers, the design features a heated slab, which provides “a very constant and stable heat source and dries all those wet items you put on it, like boots and muddy shoes after a mountain bike ride.” Even the garage floor will be heated. “The idea is that you’ll want to go into a warm garage in the winter to get into your car,” says Matt.

In the construction industry since the late 80s, Matt says his company works with clients to develop rough massing of floorplans, layout and the aesthetics of the home. The company can also assist in picking out all the finishes, from siding and windows to the tile used in bathrooms and backsplashes. Asked if there’s potential for a buyer to customize the house, Matt gives a resounding yes. “We would love to work with the buyer to pick out finishes of their choosing. We can shop with them and help them source whatever they want! They can choose everything inside from concrete finish color of slab, countertops, cabinet style, tile, plumbing fixtures and wall colors.”

Contact us to set up an appointment and learn more about the pre-sale offer on this house.

At Suncadia, you step out of urban life and into something that’s all too rare: a place where you know your neighbors instead of just passing them on the way to work. And as visits become longer and more frequent, you get to know the people who help shape Suncadia into a community you hold close to your heart. This column celebrates the Suncadia staff who play a role in the way residents and guests enjoy their time here. Some might be familiar faces or names, and others will be new to you. This week, we chat with Debbie Losse, Director of Catering & Conference Services.

Where are you from originally and how did you end up at Suncadia?

I originally grew up in Eastern Washington. My family had a cabin on Lake Cle Elum so we were up here every weekend. I moved here full time in 1992. Back then, my husband and I were small business owners, with a catering company.

When people ask me how long I’ve worked at Suncadia, I always like to say “since dirt,” which was before we had any infrastructure, just the Prospector Golf Course and a mobile pro shop. In fact, it will be 14 years on October 11, 2018!

What did you want to be when you were a kid?

There was three things: Flight Attendant, Firefighter, Teacher. I did not get to do the flight attendant thing but was able to become a volunteer firefighter and EMT. As far as teaching, I may get to do that when I retire.

What is your role at Suncadia and what’s a typical day like in your job?

I am Director of Catering & Conference Services. There is never a “typical” day in our industry, although there are some typical things you do, like answer calls, emails and plan events. My on-site clients keep me hopping with all sorts of fun and interesting tasks. So it is never typical. You also need to think outside the box so that your clients’ needs are taken care of and you make your planner “look good” to their boss.

Tell me about the type of conferences Suncadia typically hosts?

We handle anything from day only meetings, corporation meetings, reunions, wedding, birthday parties and charity events.

There is one challenging conference I worked that stands. Actually it was two events where there was a golf tournament on one course on Monday for about 160, with vendors on most of the holes. Then moving into a reception/charity auction for 600 guests an hour after the tournament that evening. And the next day there was another golf tournament with 160 guests on a different course with vendors on about half the holes. The guests were fabulous and helpful with knowing where they needed to be but logistically the behind-the-scene was challenging. We are very proud that the charity raised a great amount of money for their cause.

What are some aspects of your job that you love?

I love trying to keep one step ahead of my clients! Love thinking outside the box and pitching ideas that wow our clients. I thoroughly enjoy the relationships I have gained from my work with my clients.

What is your favorite summertime activity and a spot for lunch on property?

Walking or hiking on the property, while looking for wildlife is an escape. For lunch, I like Peoh Point Terrace overlooking the 9^th & 18^th greens, especially after the grass has been freshly cut. It’s heaven!

At Suncadia, we’ll take any excuse to celebrate, to bring families and friends together, and throw a good party. And so for the 4th of July, we put on our best reds, whites and blues and launched into festivities that lasted an entire week.

The celebration kicked off in downtown Cle Elum on June 30th with a community parade, a basketball tournament and fireworks. The next couple of days, Suncadia hosted a 5k race at Dawson Park, family-friendly guided hikes, a Battle of the Bands during our Swiftwater Concert Series, and a tie-dye session featuring everyone’s three favorite colors.

The big day arrived and so did the Kids Bike & Paws Parade. Some 35 kids went all out to decorate their bikes (and their dogs) with all the bells and whistles. The parade started at the Village Pavilion, around the Village Lake, past the Swim & Fitness Center and Glade Spring Spa, and circled back around where yummy treats awaited for all.

Once bikes were put away, it was time for some good old Americana Games. Pie eating contest? Yup. Corn hole contest? You betcha. It’s safe to say that there are only winner when 25 people get to eat pie, and everyone who participated walked away with smiles on their faces. Meanwhile, 16 teams participated in the corn hole contest and the winner took home a signature Dru Brew corn hole set with a beer swag bag. That evening, Suncadia Fund for Community Enhancement sponsored a Cosmic Concert where guests enjoyed live music with glow-in-the-dark accessories to compliment dance moves. Giddy up!