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Project posted by cgmodern architecture

Blue Mountain Modern

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Location
Blue Mountain Estates, Golden, Colorado
Year
2021
Structure
House (Single Residence)
Style
Modern
The house is composed of economical, fire resistant materials. The closely spaced horizontal guardrail on the deck visually disappears and keeps the focus on the simple forms.
The house is composed of economical, fire resistant materials. The closely spaced horizontal guardrail on the deck visually disappears and keeps the focus on the simple forms.
The cantilever living room creates a unique living room experience while also creating a cozy front porch and space to relax and take in the views.
The cantilever living room creates a unique living room experience while also creating a cozy front porch and space to relax and take in the views.
The deck over the garage with custom steel railing. With square rods spaced at 2” o.c., the railing reads like a screen.
The deck over the garage with custom steel railing. With square rods spaced at 2” o.c., the railing reads like a screen.
Secondary rooms have drywall ceilings creating more intimate spaces and contrasting with the plywood ceiling. The oak screen provides natural light into the small TV nook.
Secondary rooms have drywall ceilings creating more intimate spaces and contrasting with the plywood ceiling. The oak screen provides natural light into the small TV nook.
At only 15’ wide and with floor-to-ceiling windows the living room feels suspended in nature. Solar shades are integrated into the valance 7’ above the floor.
At only 15’ wide and with floor-to-ceiling windows the living room feels suspended in nature. Solar shades are integrated into the valance 7’ above the floor.
Clean lines, a recessed hood and the window backsplash makes the kitchen feel bright and open.
Clean lines, a recessed hood and the window backsplash makes the kitchen feel bright and open.
We worked with a local fabricator for this custom spiral staircase with circular opening through the floor.
We worked with a local fabricator for this custom spiral staircase with circular opening through the floor.
Folded steel plate treads and risers gives the stair a sculptural feel. Oak screen provides natural light to the exercise nook beyond.
Folded steel plate treads and risers gives the stair a sculptural feel. Oak screen provides natural light to the exercise nook beyond.
Cozy tv nook with oak screen to provide natural light into this small space.
Cozy tv nook with oak screen to provide natural light into this small space.
Window and door alignments connect the small spaces to the exterior. Tall doors make the spaces feel more connected while the 1 ½” wood casing is an economical alternative to floor-to-ceiling trimless doors.
Window and door alignments connect the small spaces to the exterior. Tall doors make the spaces feel more connected while the 1 ½” wood casing is an economical alternative to floor-to-ceiling trimless doors.
Floor-to-ceiling windows keep the focus on the landscape while making the secondary rooms feel larger and connected to nature.
Floor-to-ceiling windows keep the focus on the landscape while making the secondary rooms feel larger and connected to nature.
Built-in slat wood entry bench with oak plywood paneling creates an efficient entry and economical detailing.
Built-in slat wood entry bench with oak plywood paneling creates an efficient entry and economical detailing.
The efficient lower level space includes built-in bookcases, fun pops of color with tile, economical u-shaped built-in desk, and art centered at the end of the hallway.
The efficient lower level space includes built-in bookcases, fun pops of color with tile, economical u-shaped built-in desk, and art centered at the end of the hallway.
The only exposed wood on the house is the soffit which visually connects the interior and exterior.
The only exposed wood on the house is the soffit which visually connects the interior and exterior.

Details

Square Feet
1800
Lot Size
1 acre
Bedrooms
2
Full Baths
2

Credits

From cgmodern architecture

The goal for this single family residence was to create a simple, compact live-work home in the mountains that fully embraces living in nature while also addressing the social and environmental challenges of living in the mountains.

As the architect and home owner, we tightly tailored this 1800 s.f. all-electric home to meet our program needs while being economical to build and use. Working primarily from home, we needed a design that created a clear separation between home and work. The solution was a two-story structure with living quarters on top, and our offices, guest room and garage on the lower level.

The house is composed of three simple forms. The lower level reads as a solid rectangle base that tucks into the hillside with small punch openings for windows. This creates a cozy work experience with grade level views of the landscape while also creating a solid base for the lighter, three-sided glass living room cantilevered above. At 15’ wide, the living room feels both suspended and surrounded by nature while serving a secondary purpose: a covered front porch below. The third and final mass, the secondary living spaces, simply stacks on top of the concrete walls below for economy in both cost and materials.

Composed of readily available materials, including non-architectural exposed concrete, corrugated metal siding and composite wood decking, the house is both economical and fire resistant. The interiors are minimal yet bold, with oak wood screens, polished concrete floors, custom steel accents and pops of color with tile.

With exterior insulation and triple pane windows, the house is designed for passive solar heating. The southern facing floor-to-ceiling windows warm up the concrete floors in the winter, while the appropriately sized overhangs and motorized solar shades keep the house cool in the summer without air conditioning. The house is 100% electric with hot water radiant floor heating fed by an efficient heat pump and solar panels, yielding a HERS rating of 29.