Sandpoint, Idaho is a relatively new community, at least in terms of being known as a resort area. It is located on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille, the biggest lake in the Northwest, before it becomes the Pend Oreille River. Homes and properties surrounding the lake are just starting to be bought and turned into more upscale luxury homes.

Construction prices are at historic lows, as described by Tom Russell of Hendricks Architecture.....due to subcontractor, material, and fuel price reductions their 2009 price for the exact same house was an amazing 33% lower than it was in 2007.

The origins of mountain architecture in America came from the earliest non native peoples who chose to venture into the untamed mountainous areas of the country. The structures they built were a direct response to the environment they were in.