Architectural mountain house that takes its cue from the surrounding landforms

Architectural holiday homes can maximise a great mountain location, and it’s more affordable when you can share the cost.

That’s what two sports-enthusiast families have done in the Rocky Mountains, Colorado. They pooled resources and commissioned Skylab Architecture to design an astonishing 390 square-metre mountain house that takes its cue from the surrounding landforms.

The house, which has an unusual triangular floorplan that maximises the views of Snowmass Mountain, was built on the idea that a physical place can deepen the connections between friends, families and the natural world.

Initial site challenges and slope constraints were solved by anchoring the structures directly into the landforms.

The house features a collection of lodge-like communal areas that are clustered together, creating a space that is both intimate and open. The main living area, which is wrapped with floor-to-ceiling glazing, occupies the tip of the triangular plan.

Skylab says natural light was a constant consideration, with every effort made to minimise visual separation from the outdoors.

“This all-weather mountain retreat is designed for recharging social relationships and renewing connections to the rugged Rocky Mountain landscape.”

The drama created by the strong geometry of the house and the exposed structural elements is reinforced by the materials, which include weathering steel, timber and stone.

Other special features include a timber-lined interior, tiered home theatre seating within the stairwell, wrap-around window seating, and a ski room.

• This story originally appeared on stuff.co.nz