Sunset Homes: A stunning hillside home from Bellevue, Washington, designed by architect Antin Mueller

The kitchen is on the upper level, the living room is a level below that, and the bedrooms are still another level down. The back garden is at the front and the front door is at the back.

This may sound a bit strange, but it works. It is the only way architect Mueller could find to design his house in Bellevue without altering the grade level of his sloping lot, or cutting down two old and very handsome fruit trees, or removing any of the large fir trees that screen the lot along two of its sides.

The level part of the lot at the front is also the sunniest, so it was developed as the main outdoor living area. It is screened from the street by trees, garage, and storage unit. Guests come in over a covered entry bridge along one side of the house to the front door at the back. In effect, they walk by the outdoor sitting area, but not through it. The bridge also provides some privacy from the neighbors on the north side.