Vancouver, Washington, USA
Designed for a lifelong car enthusiast, El Capitola devotes more square footage to a museum-grade showroom housing the owner’s remarkable collection of restored custom classic cars than it does to the living quarters. Located in Washington State at the brink of a slope overlooking the Columbia River, El Capitola is an homage to the bravado, optimism, and grit of Jet Age car culture set within the clean and understated framework of a modern single-family home.
On approach, a minimal material palette of board-formed concrete, steel, and dark brick form a striking low linear facade that opens onto a tranquil courtyard with a bubbling water feature surrounded by a granite pebble walkway and a boulder garden. A mature Japanese pine announces the entrance to the courtyard, growing skyward through an aperture in the steel canopy above. A dramatic cantilever at the home’s southwest corner forms a prominent carport, announcing the theme of the house while also serving as a visual gateway to the river beyond.
From the courtyard, expansive glass walls reveal the home’s horseshoe plan and a hybrid program which includes an 8-car gallery, a garage office, guest quarters, a primary suite, and a living room backed by a river panorama. The car gallery can be seen from every major room, and pocketed window walls at either end of the living room open to provide a sightline to the river straight through the house.
In addition to the architecture, all interior design and furniture selection was executed by the Architect, with an emphasis on leather, chrome, glass, concrete, and other materials often associated with cars and garages.
A large, open-plan living room is divided into two seating areas: one abutting a dark brick fireplace and home office space, and the other oriented toward a media area flanked by handcrafted lighted display cases housing the owner’s extensive collection of 1:18 scale model cars.
Off the living area is a spacious kitchen, bar, and dining area featuring black granite countertops, a dark slate floor, and glass-faced white oak cabinetry. Overlooking a sweeping terrace, the kitchen offers a spectacular view of the river and the train tracks that run alongside it.
Adjacent to the car gallery, a corner garage office reminiscent of a classic mechanic’s reception features a display of auto industry ephemera, vintage signage, retired license plates, and a library of hot rodding and car collecting magazines.
Architects: William/Kaven Architecture
Design Team: Daniel Kaven
Design Team: Trevor William Lewis, Mike Perso, Joel Dickson, Brian Waite, Ryan Blue, and Natalie Garyet
Structural Engineer: Harper Houf Peterson Righellis
Civil Engineers: Sterling Design and KPFF
General Contractor: iBuildPdx
Structural Engineer: Harper Houf Peterson Righellis
Civil Engineers: Sterling Design and KPFF
Client: Private
Photographers: Jeremy Bittermann / JBSA
