Every summer, the Central Oregon Builders Association (COBA) presents a showcase of new homes in central Oregon. The Tour Of Homes usually happens the last two weekends in July and is a good opportunity to view the work of local builders, sub-contractors, and designers. It is also a chance to discover local trends. Last year's big trends were stand-alone tubs and interior sliding barn doors. This year, I only saw a few of those tubs, but there were still a lot of barn doors.
Perhaps what I most enjoy about the Tour Of Homes, is the opportunity to visit places I would normally not have access to. Gated communities like Caldera Springs, Eagle Crest Resort, Brasada Ranch, and Pronghorn come to mind. However, this year I was most excited to get past the gate at Ranch At The Canyons. Formerly a working ranch, the land was sold to new owners in the '90s who intended to develop it as a destination resort. When those plans were denied, they reimagined it as a gated community of private landholdings combined with a working ranch. In 2003, when I was employed at Thomas Deatherage Architect, I had the opportunity to help design one of the first buildings of this new development.
The Tuscan Stables, was intended to have two functions. The first as a working stables, where residents and guests of the ranch could prepare their horses for riding. The second as a demonstration building. The design, materials, and finish of the stables building would set the standard for future buildings on the Ranch. At the time, the owner/developers of the Ranch took inspiration from Tuscany by way of Napa Valley. And so, the Tuscan Stables was designed to reflect that architectural style. It was also designed and built to be pre-aged and reflect the easy-going, agricultural lifestyle epitomized by the Tuscan countryside.
This year, after a five-year absence and under new ownership, the Ranch had a home on the tour. After visiting that home, I re-visited the Tuscan Stables and was able to re-photograph the building. This past weekend, I finally got around to processing that work. The majority of images I had on this site have been removed and replaced with better shots I made this past July.
The Tuscan Stables, though a comparatively small project to others I've been involved with, remains one of the most photogenic I've been involved with.
The Tuscan Stables (at right) with Smith Rock behind. Monkey Face can be seen at the far left.