Mountain Home with Timber Frame and Glass Conservatory

The site came with a pond. We started there, organizing the house along the water's edge to take advantage of those reflections and the mountain views beyond. The design needed to feel substantial but not overwhelming, grounded in the landscape rather than imposed on it.

We broke the mass into a series of gabled volumes that step across the site. Each volume has its own roof structure with exposed timber trusses that establish the scale and rhythm of the composition. Stone chimneys anchor the heavier masonry elements while the timber framing reads lighter, opening up to glass where we wanted to capture specific views.

The conservatory on the west end is the most distinctive piece. Black steel and glass, shaped like a traditional greenhouse but scaled to match the rest of the house. It's meant to be a transition space between inside and outside, a place that captures afternoon light and extends the living area into the landscape without losing the connection to weather and season.

The material palette is straightforward. We used stone veneer for the vertical masses, heavy timber for the structural expression, and wood siding with a darker stain that recedes into the landscape. The steel-framed glazing is black to create contrast and definition against the softer tones of the natural materials.

From the back, the house presents a more utilitarian character with the garage volumes integrated into the composition. The same materials carry through, but the proportions shift. Service functions are clearly expressed but detailed to maintain consistency with the rest of the design.

The house works by balancing different scales and materials. Stone gives you weight and permanence. Timber provides warmth and structural clarity. Glass opens things up where you need light and views. The conservatory adds something unexpected without abandoning the overall language.

The pond was the organizing principle. Everything else followed from that decision to orient the house toward the water and mountains beyond. If you're considering a project with water features or significant views, we should talk about how to make the architecture respond to what's already there.