The Luxurious Lodge
On this spectacular mountain site, the clients wanted to build a 4,200-square-foot residence that did not appear to be a big, prestigious house. They didn’t want a McMansion; they wanted a living space integrated into the landscape – a home nestled among the trees and rock outcroppings.
The clients decided to demolish an existing farmhouse on the site, but they also sought to recreate the views afforded by that older home. Siting the fireplace and living room at the same location, the new residence was built on a similar footprint, but with a focus on energy efficiency.
The rambling, rustic Montana-lodge style exterior belies the technology inside. The fireplace – with help from the geothermal radiant heat system – is enough to keep the clients warm and toasty through the worst winter gales. A natural ventilation system also keeps the home allergen-free.
Careful coordination with the engineer allowed the structure to appear hunkered into the site, creating a humble front façade. The house’s floor plan strategically winds its way around the trees and boulders – framing intimate views of the landscape from the master bedroom and offering magnificent vistas from the deck.
Through attention to design and careful construction, the project saved nearly all of the more than 30 mature trees directly adjacent to the building footprint. Blasting of the some larger rocks was required to make room for the driveway, but the completed home now looks and functions as an established part of the landscape.