A Sustainable Community in Eastern Washington
Selah Vista Homes
A new residential development composed of 60 net zero energy homes.
Located outside of Yakima, WA, this community of 60 net zero energy homes is designed to provide residents with a peaceful, sustainable home base. The developer brought us onto the team during the site selection process, and the project is now progressing through a five-phase build. The community features a mix of detached and duplex spec homes surrounding a central commons, with custom home lots on the perimeter. In addition to ample housing, the 16.7-acre site features community gardens, a yoga pavilion, natural playgrounds, nature trails, and community solar fields.
The project has three primary focuses: healthy indoor air quality, zero net energy, and accessibility for aging in place. Each home is completely electric – eliminating combustible cooking and heating gases for healthier breathing conditions, while double wall construction with R-50 insulation, an R-60 roof, and an R-40 slab form a super-efficient envelope detailed for a continuous air barrier. Passive solar design strategies, mini split heat pumps and energy recovery ventilation systems provide all the space conditioning required in a region with temperatures ranging from -10 in the winter to 110 in the summer. For the spec homes, we created five designs – four detached units and one duplex – all with accessible main floor plans should residents choose to age in place.
The community covenants and restrictions ensure the custom homes are built with an exterior palette of natural materials, and each is landscaped with native vegetation. Every home in Selah Vista meets the energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and Built Green 5-star goals originally envisioned for the project. Selah Vista offers residents a healthy home with high-quality common spaces that can be enjoyed for years to come.
Solar Power
Large arrays of solar panel are a key component helping these homes reach net zero energy. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Cindy Simmons.
Solar Power
Large arrays of solar panel are a key component helping these homes reach net zero energy. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Cindy Simmons.
Inspired by Earth
The dusty color palette and sloping rooflines help seamlessly blend the community into the surrounding landscape, further emphasizing its harmonious and symbiotic relationship with the land. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Cindy Simmons.
Inspired by Earth
The dusty color palette and sloping rooflines help seamlessly blend the community into the surrounding landscape, further emphasizing its harmonious and symbiotic relationship with the land. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Cindy Simmons.
A Lot of Land
The developing homes of Selah Vista sit on spacious plots lending privacy and openness to the homeowners. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Cindy Simmons.
A Lot of Land
The developing homes of Selah Vista sit on spacious plots lending privacy and openness to the homeowners. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Cindy Simmons.
Non-Invasive Landscaping
To remain considerate to the natural ecosystem and highlight its beauty, each home is landscaped with native vegetation. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Cindy Simmons.
Non-Invasive Landscaping
To remain considerate to the natural ecosystem and highlight its beauty, each home is landscaped with native vegetation. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Cindy Simmons.
Sustainability in Style
The exterior of the homes are designed to be both beautiful and sustainable, with smooth, stucco-style walls that also feature air-tight insulation for better temperature regulation. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Cindy Simmons.
Sustainability in Style
The exterior of the homes are designed to be both beautiful and sustainable, with smooth, stucco-style walls that also feature air-tight insulation for better temperature regulation. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Cindy Simmons.
Healthy and Accessible
Homes designed with a keen eye toward indoor air quality and accessibility create a healthy haven for families and retirees alike. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Cindy Simmons.
Healthy and Accessible
Homes designed with a keen eye toward indoor air quality and accessibility create a healthy haven for families and retirees alike. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Cindy Simmons.
Welcome Home
The exposed wood finishes of the front entry make for a grand yet humbly inviting welcome to the homes. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Cindy Simmons.
Welcome Home
The exposed wood finishes of the front entry make for a grand yet humbly inviting welcome to the homes. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Cindy Simmons.
Patio Perfection
Large backyard patios offer residents and guests a place to connect with and appreciate the natural landscape. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Cindy Simmons.
Patio Perfection
Large backyard patios offer residents and guests a place to connect with and appreciate the natural landscape. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Cindy Simmons.
Inclusive Design
The interior of the homes are designed to be inclusive to people of all abilities and support the process of aging-in-place, with all daily necessities consolidated on one floor. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Janet Griswold.
Inclusive Design
The interior of the homes are designed to be inclusive to people of all abilities and support the process of aging-in-place, with all daily necessities consolidated on one floor. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Janet Griswold.
Calm Colors
The living room is a cool and relaxing display of Pacific Northwest grey scale colors, accented by rich wood hues. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Janet Griswold.
Calm Colors
The living room is a cool and relaxing display of Pacific Northwest grey scale colors, accented by rich wood hues. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Janet Griswold.
Natural Light Galore
The homes feature large windows and glass doors to aid in the passive solar process and increase natural light. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Janet Griswold.
Natural Light Galore
The homes feature large windows and glass doors to aid in the passive solar process and increase natural light. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Janet Griswold.
Open the Concept
The home interiors are designed to be open and spacious, making these mid-sized homes feel much larger. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Janet Griswold.
Open the Concept
The home interiors are designed to be open and spacious, making these mid-sized homes feel much larger. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Janet Griswold.
Kitchen Efficiencies
The kitchen features fully electric equipment without sacrificing sleek or modern aesthetics. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Janet Griswold.
Kitchen Efficiencies
The kitchen features fully electric equipment without sacrificing sleek or modern aesthetics. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Janet Griswold.
Brighten Up
Windows in the kitchen increase access to natural light while illuminating the neutral color palette of the counters, appliances, and cabinets. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Janet Griswold.
Brighten Up
Windows in the kitchen increase access to natural light while illuminating the neutral color palette of the counters, appliances, and cabinets. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Janet Griswold.
Custom Shelves
Open, built-in shelfing increases storage capacity and creates an ideal display case for special artifacts and mementos. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Janet Griswold.
Custom Shelves
Open, built-in shelfing increases storage capacity and creates an ideal display case for special artifacts and mementos. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Janet Griswold.
Chic Additions
Tall, arched door frames introduce a stylish and stately appeal in these down-to-earth homes. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Janet Griswold.
Chic Additions
Tall, arched door frames introduce a stylish and stately appeal in these down-to-earth homes. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Janet Griswold.
Hall Bath
The secondary bath is a continuation of the subdued beauty echoed throughout the rest of the home, with cool colors complemented by fixtures of dark, richly colored wood. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Janet Griswold.
Hall Bath
The secondary bath is a continuation of the subdued beauty echoed throughout the rest of the home, with cool colors complemented by fixtures of dark, richly colored wood. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Janet Griswold.
Trick of the Eye
Adjacent, mirror-clad wardrobe doors vastly increase the illusion of space within the hall. They also make choosing an outfit much faster! Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Janet Griswold.
Trick of the Eye
Adjacent, mirror-clad wardrobe doors vastly increase the illusion of space within the hall. They also make choosing an outfit much faster! Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Janet Griswold.
Beautiful & Accessible
Double sinks increase the surface space of the primary bath, while a threshold-free shower brings a spa-like feel to the room, fully-accessible. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Janet Griswold.
Beautiful & Accessible
Double sinks increase the surface space of the primary bath, while a threshold-free shower brings a spa-like feel to the room, fully-accessible. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Janet Griswold.
Alive with Light
The primary bedroom is invigorated by natural light, pouring in through large windows and sliding glass doors. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Janet Griswold.
Alive with Light
The primary bedroom is invigorated by natural light, pouring in through large windows and sliding glass doors. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Janet Griswold.
Space-Saving Features
Sliding barndoors make for quick and easy entry down the bathroom hallway without taking up extra floor space, while also bringing a fresh, contemporary appeal to the room. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Janet Griswold.
Space-Saving Features
Sliding barndoors make for quick and easy entry down the bathroom hallway without taking up extra floor space, while also bringing a fresh, contemporary appeal to the room. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Janet Griswold.
Private Patio
A small additional patio space outside the primary bedroom offers a perfect spot for relaxing in the sun. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Janet Griswold.
Private Patio
A small additional patio space outside the primary bedroom offers a perfect spot for relaxing in the sun. Selah Vista Homes | Photo by Janet Griswold.
Notes & Credits
This project was built by Leading Force Contracting.
Photography by Janet Griswold and Cindy Simmons.
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Services
Our design services encompass architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture, with teams specializing in projects across the spectrum, from single-family homes to multifamily and mixed-use buildings, and from boutique commercial spaces to civic spaces, like parks. We love designing the integrated fabric of structures, spaces, and places that create vibrant neighborhoods.
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