Owl Creek

Client: Private

Location: Snowmass, Colorado

Size: 4,200 sq ft.

Awards:

2017 IIDA Design Excellence Awards | Best in Category: Residential

Built on the idea that a physical place can deepen the connections between friends, families and the natural world.

Perched on the hillside, with panoramic views of Snowmass Mountain, the Owl Creek Residence was built on the idea that a physical place can deepen the connections between friends, families and the natural world. Initial site challenges and slope constraints were solved by anchoring the structure directly into the landform.

At Owl Creek a single shared, stand-alone home was built for several families. Additionally, a collection of lodge-like communal areas are clustered together, creating a space that is both intimate and open. Natural light was a constant consideration, with every effort made to minimize visual separation from the outdoors. This all-weather mountain retreat is designed for recharging social relationships and renewing connections to the rugged Rocky Mountain landscape.

The strict height limitation and slope constraints of the site turned into an advantage by anchoring the structure into the landforms. The structure frames powerful views through two principal façades, maximizing the visual connection to the landscape at every angle. Strategic decisions in the frame and form allowed for efficiencies and functional benefits, including a triangular structural steel frame with car decking to minimize costs through prefabrication, and a roof slope to move water and snow downslope.