The Y House is perched on a bluff high above Lake Washington. The house takes advantage of the prospect afforded by a steep site, while at the same time strengthening the fragile slope and collecting the water that threatens to de-stabilize it.  

The roofs of the house reflect different strategies for collecting water.  The western roof conveys rainwater far enough up-site to allow it to drain naturally to the street.  The eastern roof deposits water into three large concrete cisterns that store the water for flushing toilets, doing laundry and watering the gardens.

Two site-cast concrete walls define the major interior and exterior spaces. The first follows along the northern boundary, cupping at the end to form an outdoor hearth.  The second parallels the first, then bends twice, first to mark the entry and then to define the southern edge.  Together the walls form a Y that cradles the heart of the site and opens it up to the view of Lake Washington to the east.