Building a custom-designed home 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. That’s why we have partnered with some of the best home builders and architects in Washington. Meet Matt Rudolph of Gravitate Design & Build.

Who We Are

We specialize in designing and building high end custom homes and have been involved in the construction industry since the ‘90s. Usually I gravitate towards simple and modern designs however we have done quite a few Craftsman-style homes for clients. At the end of the day, we are here to design and build extraordinary homes that our customers will cherish for years to come and that comes in whatever style our clients choose for themselves.

Designing for Suncadia

Landscape and weather come into play in design right out of the gate.  I like to blend a house into the site as much as I can and think a home that captures the views and brings the outdoors inside works well in Suncadia. With so much natural beauty and awesome scenery, having lots of glass and outdoor areas to enjoy nature are key. As is having large overhangs to keep the snow as far away from the house as possible. The large overhangs also provide a shady reprieve in the summer and minimize solar gain, therefore keeping your house cooler.

New dream homes, a growing community, and many happy memories—it may already be 2019 but we wanted to take just a moment to look back at the amazing year that just ended. Since Suncadia Real Estate was established in 2003, the company has been dedicated to selling homes, homesites and condos to families eager to join our community. And we’re happy to report that 2018 was a very good year.

“Seattle is one of the fastest growing cities in the US,” says Richard Seay, Vice President of Suncadia Real Estate. Spurred by companies like Amazon and Microsoft, the economy is booming and Suncadia has become a favorite destination with working families who seek an idyllic year-round escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Last year, 184 transactions accounted for more than $93 million in sales and the community welcomed hundreds of homeowners and families with the sale of more than 85 homes and condominiums, as well as 99 homesites. The strength of the current market continues to press forward and Seay says there’s already extremely high levels of interest in anticipation of Suncadia’s 2019 releases. “The lifestyle and amenities at Suncadia are becoming highly sought-after from regional, national and international buyers, too,” he says.

Over the past decade, the Suncadia Real Estate Sales Company team has maintained an average market share of 80 percent of all properties sold within the Suncadia community, which has expanded and continues to offer new neighborhoods with access to the resorts amenities: over 40 miles of hiking and biking trails, award-winning resort golf courses Prospector and Rope Rider, Portals Restaurant, Suncadia Club Swim & Fitness Center, Glade Spring Spa and the new Nelson Farm Pool. In fact, this past year Suncadia sold 21 of the 39 homesites in River Ridge, the closest neighborhood to the new pool.

Coming up in 2019, the resort will see a total revamp of The Inn to include a new dining outlet that celebrates local brewers, farmers and community. And, of course, expanded neighborhoods, additional homesites with stunning vistas, and more memorable events and gatherings for the entire community.

Interested in a real estate tour? Contact Suncadia Real Estate Sales Company at 509-649-6000 to schedule a visit.

Building a custom-designed home 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. That’s why we have partnered with some of the best home builders and architects in Washington. Meet Barbara Pickens, Principal at 4D Architects.

Founded 34 years ago by Seattle architect Barbara Pickens and Eastside designer Ben Mulder, 4D Architects is noted for exceptional creativity and commitment to quality design. The architects work with each client to consider design choices that are both cost-effective and sustainable in terms of energy and resources. “Each design is customized to respond to our clients’ goals, as well as the attributes and constraints of the site,” says Barbara. Here, she talks about the design process, her practice and building dream homes in Suncadia.

Design Practice

We tend to gravitate towards contemporary styles. The Suncadia area brings a set of conditions that lead to some specific design forms and throughout the years that we’ve worked in the community, we’ve been able to merge our contemporary style with these necessary forms. We introduced the first modern style of cabin to the area; we created a passive solar design in 2006 for a more progressive client; and have designed some timber homes with very fun rooms inside and out. More recently, we designed some shed roof homes that will bring a more modern look to the neighborhood.

One thing that sets us apart from other architecture firms is that we do the structural framing design ourselves, which allows us to better integrate the mechanical, plumbing, and other needs into the design while still creating beautiful interiors. We also enjoy working with contractors and want to foster a good relationship with them throughout the design and construction process. Overall, we are team players, very thorough and never shy away from difficult design challenges.

Understanding the Client

We like to hear about our clients’ family patterns—how will they use the cabin or home? What activities do they enjoy? How many guests might be there on any given weekend? How will their family life evolve over the time they own the home? We ask the more mundane questions about size, number of bedrooms, budget, etc. We always discuss design styles, taking into consideration what they like and what they are open to. It’s important to us that our clients love the homes they’ll be living in throughout the changing life cycles. If they’re open to unique design features, great!

Keys to Designing For Suncadia

Designing for the local climate is a necessity so we study the summer and winter sun path, the snow patterns, the wind conditions, and of course, the geometry of the land. We also consider the slope of the driveways and try to locate them where the sun might help melt the snow. We also consider the existing trees and native vegetation.

Trending Client Requests

The most often client request is for great outdoor living spaces. They want covered porches that they can use year round, throughout the changing seasons. They want to be outdoors and often want outdoor kitchens. We’ve been so fortunate to have clients that vary greatly in their goals and their design tastes so I feel that I learn something new from each of my clients and appreciate the opportunity to work with them. Together, we create unique and fun homes to be used for generations.

Dream Home

I think my dream Suncadia home would include a very informal plan. The main floor would be open with a large kitchen area and a room that would allow for many different activities, from dancing to watching videos. I would need to have three to four bedrooms with at least one on the main floor. I envision vaulted ceilings and high clerestory windows to bring natural light from two or three directions into all of the main rooms. I would have a series of shed roofs with a minimum of 3/12 roof slope in order to give the snow a chance to move off the roof. And of course, I would have a large covered patio. I could go on but the joy of this profession is to help our clients realize their own architectural fantasies.

Interested in learning more about custom designing your home or viewing a home designed by 4D Architects? Contact a member of the Suncadia sales team at 509-649-6000.

5 Achievable New Year’s Resolutions for Happier and Healthier Living

If you’re like us, you probably came up with a few goals to tackle in 2019. Eating healthy? Check. Exercising more? Check. Spending quality time with the family? Check. Here are a few other good-for-you goals that you can easily tackle to kick off the new year. Some of these you can work into your daily routine to achieve balance and reduce stress, no matter what life throws at you.

1. Plan a vacation

People who go on vacation at least twice a year have a lower heart attack risk than those who vacation rarely. Thinking about an upcoming trip? Researchers have found that the mere acting of fantasizing or planning a vacation can boost happiness for weeks. So go ahead, pencil in that long weekend retreat at Suncadia with the family now.

2. Try hydrotherapy

Feeling sore? Hydrotherapy is an ancient practice that has been around for thousands of years and is proven to both energize and rest the body, improving blood circulation and activating the lymphatic system to help detoxification. In fact, research shows that hydrotherapy may aid in muscle recovery more than a day of rest. On your next Suncadia visit, try the Swiftwater Seasonal Scrub at Glade Spring Spa. The treatment begins with a gentle exfoliation to awaken softer skin, followed by  a shower rinse in the Vichy or Vital wet room. It ends with the application of a rich moisture lotion to replenish dry and thirsty skin. For an at-home treatment, take a long soak in the tub or end a hot shower with a burst of ice-cold water.

Suncadia Home: The master bathroom of this luxurious home overlooking the Roper Rider Golf Course features a sunken tub for the ultimate at-home hydrotherapy session.

3. Prioritize sleep

Sleep, along with exercise and diet, are part of the three pillars of health. Yet, making a commitment to getting more Zzzs rarely makes it into New Year’s resolution lists. We think it should, and experts agree. In fact, improving sleep may help you to reach other goals, like eating better, exercising more or losing weight. Studies have found that losing sleep is associated with increased appetite (particularly for junk food), feelings of fatigue (it’s hard to exercise when you’re tired) and unhealthy dietary choices (like hitting the drive thru for dinner). Try keeping a simple sleep diary, recording when you go to bed and when you get up, to give you an idea of your current habits and where you could improve them. Another idea is to create a sleep-friendly environment in the bedroom. For example, take out a TV if you have one and instead create a peaceful and soothing sanctuary that promotes rest.

Suncadia Home: The master bedroom in this luxurious home features a fireplace, heated floors and earthy tones.

4. Explore new hobbies

When researchers followed 7,500 people for 25 years, they found that those who complained of major boredom were roughly twice as likely to suffer from heart disease. So guess what? It’s time to shake up your routine—whether that means trying a new way to exercise at the gym or maybe skipping the gym and hitting the trails or taking an art class. Whatever you end up doing, make it fun and you’ll find that your outlook on the day will be sunnier. Never tried snowshoeing or snowmobiling? Sign up for a guided tour at the Concierge desk. Or  check out our Winterfest Guide for more ideas. 

5. Spend less time on your phone

Quick, how much time would you say you spend on your device? If you easily lose track, it probably means you’re on your phone or tablet longer than you’d care to admit. And while we’re not saying you should delete all your social apps (the horror!), we do recommend making an effort to trade screen time for some old-fashioned IRL time—that’s In Real Life, for the uninitiated. That might look like putting down the phone and setting out on a hike with the kids. Or walking the dogs without your phone to really take in the beauty of nature. Or simply hosting a backyard soiree with family and friends. Instagram and Facebook can wait!

Suncadia Home: This rustic modern cabin is designed for families who love the outdoors as much as socializing at home. It features a great room with a fireplace and plenty of outdoor space—including a covered patio and viewing platform—for entertaining year round.