Inside, the furnishings palette was devised to help explore and embrace the owner’s love of bold colors. Each level was provided a central color on which an analogous color palette was developed.

Accordingly, the lower level is purple, the main floor is blue and the upper level is green. Green was chosen for the upper level to pull the rich greens of the surrounding forested views inside. Throughout the home, bold and expressive artwork was located in areas that allow them to be celebrated independently of the views.

Ensuring that the views were the primary focal points from the interior of the home was a singular challenge. In a compact footprint, essential programmatic elements vie for attention compositionally. So as not to divert attention from the views, a neutral palette of plaster, white oak and minimal detailing was chosen.

As the form is tucked into the mountainside, the upper level offers a gracious walk-out terrace for outdoor entertaining. A “form follows function” parti was created to incorporate large picture windows aimed directly at primary views. These picture windows informed ceiling slopes and the treatment of other focal features, such as keeping the fireplace volume low to allow the treetops to be viewed through a living room skylight. Another opening provides expansive Shadow Mountain views, and also provides for seamless indoor-outdoor entertainment opportunities in the privacy of the backyard.

Glass guardrails on the stairs were selected to allow for more natural light to filter uninhibited to the lower levels and for the transparency they provided. Another design challenge was the detailing required for the unique angles driven by the aperture windows. Rainscreen cladding techniques and internal gutters were employed so that the standing seam metal was siding used consistently around the openings.

For our design team, a primary goal was addressing the owners’ desire to capture the best views possible, including of the overhead treetops and the mountains across the valley. Combined with a compact lot size, the goal drove the architecture vertically, with main living spaces placed on the upper level and rooftop, and the bedrooms on the lower levels.

A second design goal was to unify the angular form, emphasizing predominant views within a singular volume. Standing seam metal siding was used as the building’s skin for its ability to be applied on both vertical and horizontal surfaces. The building skin was pulled and stretched, creating aperture-style picture windows that strongly emphasize each opening. Stucco was used on the exterior of the main level as a subdued, monolithic base that recedes from the expressive upper level.