Shoot For The Stars

FOOTHILLS

We strive to have a sense of Old World architecture punctuated by modern elements so that those two things enhance each other and become more powerful than each would be alone.

The nuance involved in designing a house for a broad, flat sweep of land is unique. It is a matter of precision. A house in the foothills can easily appear out of place. Where a river meanders, where an emerging forest and grass grows, where the wind rushes freely across the valley floor and the vista is farther out on the horizon—placing a house so that it sits naturally on the land in proportion to the open space is an art. Identifying the most important focal point and aligning the structure to frame a view perfectly for the openness of a valley floor or prairie takes a perceptive eye. Unlike the forest, where trees provide a “picture frame” perspective, or in the mountains, which allow for stepping spaces to reduce the mass of a house throughout multiple levels, on the flats the details are more important than ever to ensure a sense of integrated scale. Considering the massing of the building and how to create equilibrium as it relates to the landscape is paramount.

The palette of materials becomes vital in driving the design. The geography, the regional history, and the personal connection to the land determines the scale of buildings to fit the place. A juxtaposition of traditional design elements and materials with contemporary form can soften the severity of a house on the flats.

We strive to have a sense of Old World architecture punctuated by modern elements so that those two things enhance each other and become more powerful than each would be alone.

LEFT: Making a contemporary statement, the entry view of this house consists of steel and glass with stone accents. The first impression is of transparency, as the viewer is able to experience the landscape upon entry and see all the way through to the vista on the opposite end of the house.

ABOVE: Nestled at the foothills of a prominent ski resort, it was important to cultivate privacy in the design without sacrificing views.

SHOOT FOR THE STARS

Built on the valley floor beneath the towering Tetons, this house is certainly endowed with mountain views. Yet it is situated on the flats with nearby neighbors, a golf course, and a nearby ski resort, presenting a challenge to find an architectural balance that would capture views while emphasizing privacy. The solution was a horseshoe form with the garage and guest wing on the ends and the personal living spaces at the center. Centered in a courtyard, the main entry soars with a glass-and-steel atrium that allows daylight to flood the house. Although the palette of materials seems traditional—wood, stacked stone, and glass—the way in which these elements come together is decidedly contemporary. A floating glass-and-steel staircase is the backbone of the design, connecting the main living space to the second floor. A magnificent 20-foot vaulted ceiling and steel beams accentuate mountain views and the ever-changing sky. This area then transitions to a kitchen and more casual dining space, where the ceiling height is 9 feet, with beautiful old beams and modern steel cabinets. The trade-off to this level of transparency is the risk of imparting Brutalism and losing the human scale of the building. To maintain a level of intimacy at a human scale, multiple ceiling heights have an important function. Moving from a vast height to an intimate space with fluidity facilitates a wonderfully warm and intimate living and dining space for the family to gather. The contrast of open and private, of public and intimate, of rustic and modern is successfully realized in this house in the foothills.

PAGES 202-203: Throughout the house, the materials palette is contemporary and clean: steel, glass, stacked stone, and reclaimed wood. Interior designer Jane Schwab sought to enhance the architecture with a subtle approach to comfortable furnishings and finishes inside the house. ABOVE: Continuing the approachable combination of contemporary interiors as accents to strong architectural lines, designer Jane Schwab included an elk horn chandelier and horn vases in a small sitting area. RIGHT: In the main living area a 20-foot ceiling is balanced by a bold large format black and white photograph and streamlined furnishings. PAGES 206-207: Opting for a light and airy interior approach, the kitchen features honed quartzite counters, white plaster walls, open shelves and a warm oak finish on cabinetry.

LEFT: The serenity of the primary suite is enhanced by an easy connection to the outdoors through a private door and patio. ABOVE: Redefining the ski chalet, the bunk room offers private alcoves for sleeping and comfortable seating for hang-out time. PAGES 210-211: The primary bath, like a private spa, offers respite via white marble, a light oak vanity and opaque curtains on the generous windows. PAGE 213: A second story outdoor spa is tucked into a niche of the roofline for privacy as it looks out toward the mountains and the ski resort.