Mountain Tree House

Location

Big Sky, Montana

Services

Architectural Design, Interior Design

Sites that provide some of the largest challenges, create some of the greatest opportunities. This site has some extreme grading issues that forced many of our initial design moves. But… through our studies we learned that an upside-down house would create something spectacular. Through drone photography and working with our consultants we explored the opportunity of putting all of the main living areas on the top floor of this home and using the lower levels to pack in bedrooms, mechanical systems, and garages to retain the adjacent steep slopes.

As you approach this residence you sweep between the trees and arrive at a motor court. A large flat canopy extends out to pull you towards the front door. As you walk along the ‘front porch’ you pass through landscaping and punched openings that picture frame the views that are to come. The entry of the home is a three story stair tower that is the vertical spine of the house.

As you navigate up, you begin to realize that you are landing above the treetops, only to be welcomed by a mammoth view of Wilson and Beehive Peak. The top floor is treated as a glass box, interlaced among the trees, giving the impression that you are in a breathtaking treehouse. The main living spaces connect to a floating outdoor patio that is another platform among the landscape. This platform is braced by sophisticated exposed structure to showcase the engineering marvel that it is.