The Flood Plain House (living-guest quarters) is set approximately 12 feet above grade and minimizes ground disturbance by being supported on only four 8-inch thick concrete piers. The floor elevation was determined by hydrologist water shed analysis and is set above the 300-500 year flood event elevation. This ground separation also discouraged snake infestations. A 15-foot deep steel Howe truss system spans 80 feet at the center span with 32/16 foot balancing cantilevers at each end. The longer cantilever extends over the river while the other continues to a gangway that leads to the parking area. The steel bridge truss supports a wood lattice that shades conditioned space below and reduces calculated cooling loads by 20%. The precise shape and location of the structure were made to weave into an existing cottonwood grove.