High in the Rocky Mountains in Big Sky, Montana, this modern home embraces a rugged landscape and captures surrounding vistas of three majestic peaks. A fine example of evolving architectural design styles, this modern mountain home features large expanses of glass that lend lightness and openness to the home.
This residence is cleverly named ‘Mountain Peek' because of the natural landscape and views of Lone Peak, Pioneer Mountain, and Cedar Mountain. Surrounded by alpine and ranch architecture, this home is a magnificent example of emphasis on form, livability and harmony within the landscape. Designed with ski-in, ski-out access, Mountain Peek was heavily influenced by the natural terrain, spanning out horizontally with varied elevations and roof heights to allow for beautiful views from every space.
For outdoor enthusiasts Bob and Pam Norton, the town of Big Sky was a natural choice for the location of their second home. Having purchased a remote lot with panoramic views, they envisioned a private, year-round retreat that integrated with the terrain. "We wanted to live in the view," says Pam. "We wanted the outdoors to come in."
We wanted to live in the view. We wanted the outdoors to come in.
Collaboration
To help carry out their vision, the Nortons assembled a talented team: architect Jamie Daugaard of Centre Sky Architecture, builder John Seelye of Big Sky Build, and interior designers Kelly Lovell and Ashley Sanford of Clean Line Consulting. The collaborative group worked together to create a home that felt intimate and inviting while showcasing grand, awe-inspiring views. "From the very beginning, everybody was involved in the project, which led to a really seamless execution," says Pam. "Everybody had input from the get-go."
Jamie explains, "When you purchase a site like this with those view corridors, it's a great effect of knowing already: Where does the great room want to go? Where does the dining room want to be, and how do we interact with the lot? He continues, "Stone, timber, heaviness, masculinity were definitely very big a few years ago, but now it's becoming more feminine, intricate, and delicate as far as architecture."
Challenges such as site access, rugged terrain, weather conditions and wind and snow considerations added to the complexity of the project. "Logistically, these are difficult places to build," says John. "It's a hard place to get to. The weather is demanding, and often puts a halt on construction." The mountainous landscape proved to be a double-edged sword, presenting both the challenge and the reward, as the completed home offers seclusion and a spectacular front-row view of passing wildlife.
Details, Details
Rustic, modern, and wild at its core, the residence elegantly represents the architectural style that is popular in the region. The combination of natural building materials selected helped to create a warm environment within the mountain modern structure. Stone, glass, wood and steel are prominent inside and out, with a non-glare natural material palette to soften the interior. To connect the home to the land and its history, a stone in the shape of Montana adorns the entrance, and embedded fossils appear in the adjacent stonework. A hand-crafted custom hood over the stove, a textured marble countertop, a patinated steel elevator and reclaimed wood throughout add richness and texture to the design. "For a home in the mountains, it has to have a certain presence because all that's around it is so incredible and majestic," says Ashley.
I love the fact that we have doors that fold up and bring the entire outside space in.
Living in the View
Framing a scenic expanse is a TerraSpan® lift & slide 90° inverted corner door unit. This ‘window wall' opens up two sides of the room to expand the interior to a spacious deck outside. "We can just open up the doors, and it's another room," says Bob. " I love the fact that we have doors that fold up and bring the entire outside space in." Pam adds, "When you walk in and look at the mountains, the beauty is overwhelming."
Panoramic vistas and passing wildlife can be enjoyed from many spaces in the home, as if each room were part of the landscape itself. The dining area is surrounded by glass on two sides for the sensation of being fully immersed in the view. The texturally-rich master bedroom offers picturesque views of Lone Peak, while a corner direct set window in the master bath allows the homeowners to soak in the surrounding scenery.
Year-round Retreat
Wishing to share their home with family and friends all throughout the year, the Nortons created a bunk room to accommodate visitors. A convenient steel elevator eases the ascent to the third floor, and for the ultimate connection to the outdoors, a ski room with boot dryers and lockers enables ski-in and ski-out access to the slopes in winter. "We definitely designed the home with family in mind, hoping that our grandkids… and grown children would come and enjoy all different seasons," says Pam.
The private dwelling maintains an intimate connection to the outdoor environment, allowing the family to live in the view, no matter the season. The open floor plan, massive areas of glass, expansive door openings, and convenient access to the slopes seamlessly join the indoor and outdoor spaces.
When you walk in and look at the mountains, the beauty is overwhelming.
The cohesive vision shared by the team led to a unified space that creatively blends natural elements both inside and out. "To have a good start and a really strong ending, you need the four components of an owner, architect, general contractor, and interior designer," says Jamie. "If those components can be integrated, especially in the early parts of the design, it makes for a very strong design at the end."
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