Located among large-growth aspens on a steep hillside backing up to the National Forest, this site presented a unique opportunity for a secluded family retreat in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. With a majority of views from the homesite directed toward the densely wooded forest, our clients expressed a desire to take full advantage of these views, in order to emphasize privacy and the sense of being in the wilderness.

The scale and form of the residence was sensitively designed in relationship to the natural contours of the land, including a composition of smaller forms joined together, rather than a large-scale, monolithic structure in keeping with traditional and indigenous structures of the mountain west. Simple, gable roofs are utilized to naturally shed rain, snow and ice away from key areas like entries, decks, terraces and the garage.

Exterior materials and colors were carefully selected to blend into the natural surroundings. Large-scale boulders removed from the excavation were used to construct natural looking site retaining walls, mimicking rock outcroppings found in the area. Native mossrock is used at foundation walls, the oversized deck piers and fireplace chimneys to lend a feeling of mass and strength. Log and cedar exterior siding have a natural gray, semi-transparent stain finish, emulating the color of the aspen tree bark found in the forest.