Aptly dubbed “Nest,” this cozy ski-in/ski-out mountain dwelling spans over 8,000 square feet across eight acres. It is the latest residential example of Sparano + Mooney Architecture‘s commitment to sustainable, innovative, and beautiful architecture that is embedded harmoniously into a spectacular mountain landscape.
Designed for a California-based couple and their family, the home is nestled into a surrounding aspen grove amidst a sweeping meadow. Per the clients’ original vision, the concept for the home centered on “forest bathing” – the practice of taking in the sensory, rejuvenating aspects of a woodland setting. Rather than disrupting the forest, the design team sought to maintain existing vegetation on the sloped site, and stepped the home down organically with the hill: the architects worked thoughtfully to ensure that the home accommodated the site rather than imposing upon it. For instance, the landscape design includes sensitively integrated retaining walls along the slope that create pathways to lead the visitor gradually into the meadow.
The clients wanted to combine a sense of tranquility and privacy with the recreation potential of the site, which is located within a world-renowned ski resort and community. Inside, the home’s programming reflects this desire for privacy, with the primary suite functioning as a sanctuary separated by a bridge connector from the main living spaces, which in turn easily accommodate an abundance of guests.
Interior designer Kirsten Molz of KHM Design wanted the home to feel warm, comfortable and inviting, and chose natural oak hardwood flooring, cabinetry and trim throughout, as well as creamy off-white plaster for the ceiling and walls of the living room for a natural refinement.
As avid cooks and entertainers, the clients required a kitchen that features a separate butler’s pantry that includes a wine fridge, small wall oven, extra prep space, and a coffee bar. The focal point of the main kitchen is the Lacanche Forneaux range and Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances. Additional entertainment spaces include a combined billiards, library, and den space adjacent to the kitchen and main living room, as well as a lower-level family room with a kitchenette, games area, and custom wall mural.
Nest is not only an elegant mountain modern dwelling – it is also a highly-sustainable home that features high-performance glazing, spray foam insulation, radiant floor heating, skylights in the hallways to provide natural daylighting and abundant daylighting in every space, as well as floor- to-ceiling glass and aluminum doors by Reynaers in the living room that open to the meadow and a covered exterior deck. To the west, a significant hillside shades most of the afternoon sun, and the home primarily receives direct morning daylight for passive heating/ cooling.
The home is as efficient as it is sophisticated, beautiful, and inviting.
Photography by Joe Fletcher.
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