Indian Paintbrush Residence

Situated in an aspen grove, this residence was designed to make the most of both the small buildable area of the site and the modest budget allotted for construction.  For ten years prior to building, the clients had lived on the site in a dark 1970’s log cabin.  The project parameters for the new residence included a closer connection between the new form and its beautiful site and a less overtly traditional western vernacular expression than that of the old residence.

The site’s limited buildable area and the clients’ desire for minimal impact on the landscape required a small footprint for the building.  This constraint, together with specifications of the owners’ program, pushed the living areas of the house onto an upper floor and into the canopy of the trees, creating an upside-down version of a traditional house diagram.  Oxidized steel siding finished with a linseed oil sealer covers the box frame.  The addition of cedar-clad projections and a steel visor enrich the simple form by adding depth, shadow, and texture to the elevation.

A continuous band of clerestory glazing allows for generous daylight within the residence. Economical finish selections such as oiled concrete floors, aluminum countertops, raw MDF cabinetry, and masonite wall paneling complete the interior expression.