Project of the Week – House at 9,000 Feet

Award-Winning Ski House “Floats” Amid Alpine Extremes

Location: Intermountain Region of the United States

Architect: MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects 

Structural Engineer: Blackwell Structural Engineers

General Contractor: Edge Builders LLC

Photography: Nic Lehoux

Perched within the Intermountain Region’s rugged landscape, the “House at 9,000 Feet” by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects stands as a masterclass in engineering innovation, meriting its recognition as Real Cedar winner at last year’s Wood Design Awards. This architectural feat not only navigates but embraces the challenges presented by its alpine setting.

The home’s placement atop a mountain offers more than just breathtaking views; it presents a unique set of environmental hurdles. Faced with a steep 30% gradient and the considerable challenge of dealing with 40 feet of annual snowfall, the architects crafted a solution as elegant as it is functional. They devised a house that seemingly “floats” above the ground on stilts, accessible by a bridge that seamlessly connects it to the surrounding terrain. “Southern exposure provided spectacular views of the valley below and nearby mountaintops, as well as a passive solar strategy,” explains Brian MacKay-Lyons of MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects reveals.

Harmony with the Landscape

The house is impressive in its structure and arrangement. Comprising 4400 square feet of inhabited space, the five-bedroom ski house caters to an immediate family and guests. One of its significant features is the south side of the house, offering an extensive 88-foot-long window seat that passively controls solar heat gain and frames the magnificent southern views. MacKay-Lyons elaborates, “At the western end of the house, a covered deck provides sunset views toward the valley below.”

Central to the design of this modern mountain dwelling is the extensive use of Western Red Cedar (WRC), a material choice influenced both by a desire to soften the distinctive shape of the building. WRC finds its application in multiple areas of the project including exterior cladding, roofing, decks, mechanical enclosure, interior ceilings and walls, and interior and exterior doors.

“Our choice of WRC was inspired, in part, by the local material culture but also responds to the client’s desire to ‘fit in'”, says MacKay-Lyons. “Using the same material both inside and out gives the house a unified and sculptural quality.” Specifying Select Knotty cedar for the exterior and clear, straight grain for the interior, was instrumental in giving the house its seamless finish and warm, cozy interiors. The untreated exterior is designed to weather naturally over time, while the interior is finished with a clear, water-based sealer, giving it a more consistent, uniform appearance.

Creating Architectural Unity 

The use of engineered white ash flooring throughout the house complements the warmth and texture of the WRC on the walls and ceilings. The beige-light brown color and coarse texture of the flooring form a striking contrast to the warm tones and straight grain of the WRC.

The House at 9,000 Feet is a true testament to the ability of architecture to harmonize with its surrounding landscape, thanks to the biophilic goals integral to its design. “The open, bar grating bridge heightens one’s experience of the sloping landscape below. The floating, bridge-like structure with 18-foot cantilevers on both ends, enhances the occupants’ experience of the site,” explains MacKay-Lyons.

Standing proudly amidst the challenges of an arid, high desert climate and strong wind loads, the House at 9,000 Feet serves as an epitome of design that respects its environment and capitalizes on its potential, effectively demonstrating the versatility and aesthetics of Western Red Cedar siding in creating a home that is truly one with its surroundings.

WRC Specifications

Grade: Select Knotty siding & clear interior

Size: Siding – 6″ T&G siding & 2″ shiplap, interior – 2″ shiplap panelling

Fastening: exterior – stainless steel siding nails, interior – finish nails 

Applied Finish: siding – none, interior – clear