Sopris Retreat

Focus on the view! A big sky, reach for the heavens view of Mount Sopris, the 10,000+ ft icon, is seen from the river valley surrounding Carbondale. Located in a golf course development with rigorous design guidelines and existing traditional homes, we worked with care to ensure the formal criteria were met while striving to develop the individuality of this home, suiting the individuality of the geologist owners. Limiting factors, such as the view being off axis from the main site orientation and the lot being snuggled between two existing homes, were transformed into design opportunities. An expansive glass wall rotates to engage the view, and one wing of the building is faceted at an angle perpendicular to Mount Sopris. Site lines from inside the home influence ceiling heights, windows sizes, and spatial relationships. Capturing, controlling, and creating spaces around the view mean that this homes acts as a carefully crafted lens to its surrounding environment.