King of the Hill: Bill Gates Tops Forbes' Rich List

Forbes just came out with its list of the Richest People in America and we can't believe that WE didn't make the final cut!

As more proof that the rich stay rich and the poor stay poor, Microsoft founder Bill Gates tops the list for the 16th year in a row.  Current worth:  $50 Billion, give or take a few.  Does anyone remember the days when $50 Million was a lot of money?  Guess that's chump change now.

So, how's he livin'?  VERY LARGE!

Yes, his home consists of ALL that you see in the above photo.  You're looking at a 50,000 square foot home with an additional 16,000 square feet of outbuildings and garage space. 

This earth-sheltered mansion sits on the side of a hill in Medina, Washington, with a lakefront view.  It's a technological state-of-the-art fortress residence designed to look like a Pacific Northwest Lodge.  Visitors are given a microchip when they enter the home that records their preferences and alters the home's climate (temperature, sound, and other conditions) to match their preferences as they move through the home.

That's all fine and dandy.  We still don't care for the lodge-like SIZE and SPRAWL of this house -- it's too big to feel homey.  But we do like certain elements of the pacific northwest lodge STYLE as shown in the top photo and this one below:

 

The emphasis is clearly on the views of the lake, which must be spectacular!

The interior is consistent with the outside.  No surprises here.  It has a Frank Lloyd Wright feel, with lots of wood plank, stone, and other natural materials:

There's also an indoor pool, with an architectural ceiling and an underwater sound system (sorry we couldn't find a clearer photo):

All in all, we suppose we like Gates' home and respect it for what it is:  a geek's version of a nature lover's paradise.  Still don't know if we'd want to live there.