The Tsunami House by Designs Northwest Architects was designed to withstand high waves, 85 mph winds and a strong earthquake. (Image: Designs Northwest Architects/Lucas Henning)

Camano Island, Washington, is an idyllic landscape tucked along the Puget Sound. and Douglas firs still grow tall on the land.

But just as in other waterfront communities, the threat of natural disasters looms high.The Tsunami House on Camano Island by Designs Northwest Architects is a waterfront home built to withstand the worst.

Principal architect explains that this plot on the north end of the island is in a FEMA "V Zone" flood plain, which requires the most stringent building codes.

"'V' stands for high velocity wave action," Nelson explains. "The Tsunami House had to be built to meet FEMA requirements."

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Along with building to FEMA's standards, Nelson says the Army Corp of Engineers calculated a 7-foot tall wave could hit this side of the island, so they built the main living space 9 feet above ground.

The home has three floors. The lower level serves as a stellar patio now, but if a tsunami sends high waters onto the shores, the basement becomes a flood room. The main living space ison the second level, which was built to stand up to high-velocity tsunami waves, 85 mph winds and strong earthquakes.

You can see more innovative, sustainable homes from Designs Northwest Architects on the .

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Chris Robinson works on the tsunamiball in his backyard. (Image: Chris Robinson/Tsunamiball.com)