Set at the base of a dramatic mountain outcropping, this forward-thinking custom home balances beauty, wellness, sustainability, and innovation. Inspired by the natural environment of the heavily treed site, along with the organic architecture of John Lautner and artist James Turrell’s concept of framing light, it engages seamlessly with the surroundings in a contemporary manner.

Keeping progressive, sustainable design at the forefront and with manufacturing and assembly in mind, prefabricated glulam assembly was specified for speed and efficiency of mass timber construction. Parametric modeling, virtual reality rendering, and physical modeling were implemented to explore design iterations and advance the creative integrity of the architecture.

Primary challenges included a steep grade directly adjacent to the site at the base of the mountain and close proximity to a neighboring unit. In response, a dramatic sloping roof opens the volume toward the sky while editing views of the adjacent building.

Exterior materials and elements include vertically oriented wood rainscreen referencing the wooded site, aluminum cladding at windows, glass guardrails at decking, and an integrated solar shingle roof system.

Beyond the entry, an ample community room designed for purposes including intellectual gatherings features flagstone flooring and a high, intricately beamed wood ceiling with clustered skylights. An iconic architectural expression, a curved, glazed curtain wall wraps the area to highlight the mountain view. Through sliding glass doors, the interior opens to a patio and tiered amphitheater carved into the landscape.

Main level spaces include ample kitchen, bar, and dining areas as well as dual bedroom suites. The upper level accommodates a pair of guest bedroom suites, one with a roof top deck encouraging connection to nature. With an emphasis on relaxation, a virtual wellness retreat complete with a therapeutic thermal bath and spa, and access to an outdoor grotto garden, is located at the basement level, which also houses a theater/game room.

REDstead is nestled high above Aspen within the coveted Red Mountain Ranch community that at one time was a working ranch. The sloping site overlooks a pristine pasture, which is the center piece of the ranch, and enjoys unobstructed views of Aspen Mountain and Independence Pass. The bucolic surroundings immediately influenced the design thinking to respect the sense of place rather than trying to define it. The Japanese principle of Wabi Sabi, roughly translated as ‘rustic simplicity’ and ‘perfectly imperfect’, also helped guide and define the spiritual nature of the project.

The steep site was the most significant challenge. The access point on to the property sits approximately 25’ above the desired auto court level. In addition, the existing driveway was not up to code, which required it to be wider and less steep. The other challenge that further complicated the grading was the desire for the great room to walk out on to natural grade and not be suspended in the air with a deck. This greatly impacted the house’s entry sequence. The design team approached the entry sequence by setting the great room floor level 5’-6” below the auto court level, which opened the opportunity to create a dynamic and experiential entry through a sunken rock garden. Rather than immediately stepping into the home from the auto court, guest now leave the car behind and journey down over large natural rock outcroppings and over a stone bridge leading to the front door.

The sustainability efforts included a 16kW photovoltaic array, continuous wrapped insulation, and advanced mechanical systems. Passive solar strategies were also used to create less dependency on mechanical controls. The exterior materials were carefully researched for their durability, low-maintenance and were sourced locally, when possible.

An indoor/outdoor experience was a critical design objective. The house was situated so that it is unmistakably nestled and deeply rooted to the land. The native grasses from the pasture below were intentionally introduced into the property to honor and respect the context as if the house has always been there.

The primary design goal was to create a simple lifestyle where the main level provides one-story living. The central great room is the predominate volume and flanked on either side by secondary volumes, the primary suite and secondary suite. These individual programs have their own gable volumes and are united by subservient linking volumes to suggest a rambling, homestead collection of buildings.

Another design goal was to capture unobstructed views of Aspen Mountain from the great room. Coordination with the surveyor and site mockups were meticulously studied to ensure the these views were achieved while creating a walk-out experience to the outdoors without significant grade change or excessive heights.

The most unique program of REDstead is the 1,500 SF wellness center. Although located in the lower level of the home, the wellness center’s gym is flooded with natural light from the adjacent stair and expansive window wall above. Moving past the gym the mood shifts to tranquility and rejuvenation as you enter the relaxation room with an adjoining massage room and full bath. The relaxation room is the ideal environment to relax, as it includes fireside lounging, a spa with a waterfall feature, a sauna and steam shower.

Set within the Walla Walla Valley, one of the State of Washington’s most prolific wine regions, this contemporary residence for a repeat client (a passionate wine enthusiast) is rooted in and responds to the surrounding agrarian landscape. Progressive yet contextual in design for the area, the clean, refined lines of the overall structure ensures that it settles unobtrusively onto the gently sloping ten–acre site.

Primary materials were purposefully specified. Dark gray stone emulates the abundant basalt rock indigenous to the area (and that contributes to the quality of grapes used for winemaking). Cedar recalls the color of wood stakes supporting grapevines in the surrounding vineyard.

Sensitive to the intended lifestyle of the client-family and with the intent of capturing views of the Blue Mountains to the east, multiple structures were integrated into the surrounding landscape. Anchored by a new two-level volume reminiscent of historic stone buildings inherent to the area, three new extruded gable structures appear to emerge from the vineyard. The gable structures were pushed and pulled around the site to meet programmatic needs, and smaller blocks were extruded to link the four structures together.

Two of the gable structures, encompassing kitchen, dining, and living areas in one and the primary bed and spa-like bathroom suite in the other, encourage single-level living. The third functions as a garage. The two-level stone building accommodates a pair of guest suites on the ground level and a gym and office on the upper level. Wine storage and mechanical areas are below grade.

Outdoor rooms, green space, a sculpture garden and a pool area are thoughtfully designed between the structures, taking sun, wind and views into consideration. Access is through the surrounding vineyard via a pebbled drive, on axis with the main gable volume, and a central courtyard designed for outdoor gatherings and food trucks.