Project Description
The Old Pond Residence is envisioned as a modern family retreat inspired by the rugged simplicity and warmth of mountain cabins and their natural environments. The project explores the connection of architecture to site by crafting distinct relationships between the natural landscape and built forms. The site rests at the base of a steep curving ridgeline to the northwest and transitions to a gentle sloping grade to the southeast. To provide seclusion and privacy the residence is purposefully placed at the interior of the site among existing aspen groves, scrub oaks, sage and several large spruce trees. The project goals are to maximize views from interior spaces and engage the immediate landscape through the artful integration of the building with the sloping grade. Orienting the residence on an east/west axis prioritizes the primary views to the South of Snowmass Ski Area, Garrett Peak and the pastoral Snowmass Creek Valley. Additionally, individual program elements are physically pulled apart allowing them to adapt to the existing landform. Unifying these separated elements is a singular sloped roof that parallels natural grade further reinforcing the buildings relationship to the existing topography. This allows the landscape to flow beneath the roof and between building elements creating various covered outdoor spaces. At these locations, interior spaces extend into the landscape layering together the experience of site and architecture.