The Crow's nest Residence
CASE STUDY
Designed as an all-seasons retreat for a large family, The Crow's Nest Residence explores the intersection of classic aesthetics, craft, and the rugged terrain and challenging conditions found in the Sierra Nevada range.
Sugar bowl history
Founded in 1939, Sugar Bowl is one of the oldest ski areas in America. The Resort boasts a rich architectural heritage and is known for receiving some of the highest annual snowfall amounts in the region.
SITE CONTEXT
Located at just over 7,000 feet elevation, the homesite is one of the highest at Sugar Bowl. With sweeping views over an adjacent ski run, the site also benefitted from a cluster of evergreens upslope that could provide privacy.
CONCEPT
Our clients wanted a home that could be used year-round, and would serve as a gathering place for generations through the careful balance of communal gathering areas and private spaces. There was a desire for the design to express the exhilaration of the site and its dramatic location, and particular inspiration found in the form and materials of traditional Tyrolean mountainside chalets.
STRUCTURE
The structure of the home celebrates the scale of the surrounding terrain. Channeling the resilient form of traditional Tyrolean dwellings, a substantial board-formed concrete base anchors the home to the slope and establishes its structural grid. The home is built on a 5.5-inch datum, where every board, shelf, window and door lines up on the measurement.
The splayed roof is composed of a radiating series of glulam beams designed to take a snow load of over 400 lbs per square foot. The holds the snow it receives and shifts it off the back of the house, an approach taken to maintain accessibility on three sides while minimizing concern for falling snow.
mATERIALS
Materials were selected to respond to the ruggedness of the alpine environment and the client's desire for a balance of clean lines and detailed craftsmanship. Locally sourced stone and Western hemlock - chosen for its rich color - complement the use of steel, concrete and glass.
Inside, large Douglas fir columns wrap around steel beams in the double-height great room, evoking the feel of the forest within the home. Hickory floors complement the western hemlock walls.
INTERIOR DESIGN
In collaboration with Lisa Staprans Design, BCV worked closely with the client to create a warm, comfortable interior that integrated custom elements and satisfied the client's desire for a variety of social spaces throughout - including the ability to blend indoor and outdoor environments in warmer months.
Custom elements like the living room chandelier were designed by BCV, while local artisans contributed to the stone and woodwork, as well as details like custom-turned posts by the outdoor grilling area. Fabrics were hand selected for texture, color and natural fibers that complement the warmth of wood.
ALL-SEASONS LIVING
PROJECT DATA
Site Area: 1 Acre
Size: 5,600 SF
