Silverdale Highlands

Building on a 200-foot hillside in Silverdale, WA, came with significant engineering challenges. Steep slopes, unpredictable weather, and limited site access required careful planning to create a stable foundation for this 18-building, 26-acre residential community. More than 500,000 cubic yards of soil were moved to shape a terraced layout, allowing the development to work with the natural contours of the land rather than against them.

To adapt to the dramatic elevation changes, 17 of the 18 buildings feature stepped foundations, following the natural slope of the land. From the west side, these structures appear as three-story buildings, but from the east, they rise to four stories, blending seamlessly with the terrain. The single-phase construction approach required precise sequencing to manage infrastructure, road access, and site logistics while keeping the project moving forward despite Silverdale’s extreme weather—from heavy rain to snow and ice storms.

Stormwater control was a critical challenge. With the site’s 115-foot slope and significant rainfall, uncontrolled runoff could have overwhelmed local drainage systems. To prevent flooding, five underground concrete detention vaults were installed. These structures temporarily store up to 2 million gallons of water, slowly releasing it into the city’s storm system to maintain stability—an essential feature for a hillside development of this scale.

Adding to the complexity, an active commercial tenant remained operational throughout construction. To accommodate this, the project team carefully coordinated grading, demolition, and the installation of temporary office structures to ensure uninterrupted business operations. At the heart of the development, a centrally located clubhouse required precise planning to allow phased work without disrupting other areas of construction.

Silverdale Highlands proves that great developments aren’t just built—they’re engineered to adapt. By working with the land rather than against it, the project transformed a rugged, forested hillside into a livable, stable, and well-connected community.