America ByDesign: AmBD 2025

The property is situated along a small creek and has an established campsite.

Experiencing living on the land ( with frequent family camping trips ) prior to the cabin’s construction, influenced the design solution.

A dense pine forest interrupted by swaths of aspen trees cover the entire property, with only a few small meadows interspersed. The cabin site resides at the confluence of the largest of the aspen and pine groves, and its orientation capitalized on solar and wind exposures, as well as views to both distant mountains and more intimate moments within the surrounding forest.

The cabin proposes a unique approach to a mountain retreat – celebrating the ever-changing Rocky Mountain landscape by occupying the different forest strata (below, within, and above). Conceived of as a tower in the woods, the cabin draws inspiration from the surrounding forest by arranging program vertically.

An entry, mudroom, and bunk room embeds into the hillside, connecting to the native ground cover and warmth of the earth. A double height living area acts as the heart of the cabin, where public living spaces overlap with a mezzanine of guest rooms / sleeping areas, all looking through a two-story wall of glazing to a grove of aspen trees.

The ascent terminates at the primary suite and a recessed deck – floating high above the treetops, with panoramic views of mountain peaks beyond.

Carefully placed windows provide ample daylight and act as apertures into the surrounding landscape.

Large mechanically operable sunshades protect the cabin from unwanted solar heat gain and the elements when the house is not occupied.

A large covered main level deck set against the trees provides a space for grilling and an integrated hot tub – an ideal setting for a cozy mountain retreat.

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