Several shapes and configurations were initially presented, but the Neelys immediately fell in love with the "plus sign" concept proposed by the Höweler + Yoon team. Letting the site’s natural beauty guide the design, the Höweler + Yoon team proposed a cruciate, or cross-shaped, form. The four first floor wings include a living room, dining room, primary bedroom suite, and entry foyer with power room and gym. After considering limestone, corten steel, fiber cement panels, and stucco, the Höweler + Yoon team proposed yakisugi—a material previously unknown to the Neelys. To source the yakisugi for the project, the Höweler + Yoon team turned to Nakamoto Forestry.