The Squak Mountain yard before
A narrow original balcony off the kitchen, eleven feet above a slope, with a solid railing that blocked the view while seated.
Designing for Squak Mountain
A deck three times the size, a frameless glass railing on the view sides, a stair to the yard with an intermediate landing, and a dry patio underneath for the owners' grill and storage.
The Squak Mountain structure
A geotechnical review set the footing depth on the slope. Steel posts carry engineered beams; diagonal bracing and lateral connectors to the house floor framing make the deck rigid. An under-deck drainage system between the joists channels water to gutters, leaving the space below dry.
Building it in Squak Mountain
Footings and posts in week one, framing and drainage in week two, decking and stairs in week three, glass in the last days after the panels were cut to field measurements.
The Squak Mountain result
A deck with no visual barrier to the valley, solid underfoot, and a second usable room beneath it.
View lot, narrow balcony? This is what it can become.