Looks and function always go hand in hand. A beautiful expression of that is the Glass Link House project done by studio Scott | Edwards Architecture. This is a contemporary family home located in Portland, United States. It sits on a steeply sloped site with a nice view of the forest at both the front and the back. The owners wanted their new home to be an expression of their lifestyle and to showcase their love for nature. That was done by dividing the building into three main sections.

The social areas are all gathered at the center of the house in a large glass volumeThe living areas are perfect for entertaining and have easy access to all the outdoor spaces

One of the volumes is the active wing, space that houses functions like the home gym, a sauna, the media room, the guest bedroom area and also a wine room with a hidden whiskey room. At the opposite end is the private wing where the master bedroom and kid’s room are situated. These two volumes have completely separate functions so placing them at opposite ends of the building was a good call. The family also wanted their home to be a place where they can welcome others and entertain so these two wings are linked by a third volume which sits at the center.

A large fireplace doubles as a space divider and adds warmth and elegance to the living and dining areasThe house and especially the central volume have a strong connection with the outdoors

The central area is where the main social spaces are found like the living room, dining area and the kitchen. This large great room has big glass walls and windows at the front and the back which basically turns it into a transparent box. It has easy direct access to the outdoor spaces which include a sunken sitting area a fire pit, swimming pool and open terraces. All the interior spaces are organized on a single main floor on a flat level and it’s the outdoor areas that embrace the slope and take advantage of the unusual topography of the site.

The outdoor areas follow the steep slope and form multiple levelsBig windows and sliding glass doors open up the living areas to the forest on both sidesIn one of the wings there’s a hidden whiskey room with a small barThe interior areas have been designed for both entertainment and relaxationThe custom furniture adds a really stylish touch to the child’s bedroomThe master bedroom enjoys a sweeping view of the beautiful nearby forestTall vertical windows let light and lovely views into the master bathroom