Geologically, the San Juan Islands are the remaining mountain-tops of a receding continent much older than the American mainland. The Jamison House is embedded in and emerges from the bedrock of Lummi Mountain. Slopes and plateaus in the original topography inspired the siting of stairs and floor levels in the house. Concrete foundations spread into the rock to form terraces that anchor the structure like a tree. The house bends to the Northeast wind and forms a sheltered courtyard on its Southern side. Around the courtyard, ribbons of windows and clerestory glass bathe the main floor in light. The green roof, tilted slightly to the North, is densely planted with Lummi Island sedums.
The roof offers high insulation, long membrane life, a pleasant view for upper neighbors, and natural storm-water runoff management. The house utilizes the thermal mass of the mountain to help maintain a constant temperature. A high efficiency condensing boiler is coupled with radiant floors to efficiently deliver comfortable heat to all of the rooms. The boiler also heats domestic water from a spring-fed reservoir and stores it, with minimal heat loss, in an insulated subterranean cistern. The construction of the house is adapted to thrive on the mountain.
