Located in Darby, Montana, the design of this 2,400-square-foot residence is a personal reflection of the homeowners’ sense of style, life experiences, and love of the land. From its unexpected placement on the lot to its name, the home is full of stories.
With the steep topography at the back of the lot and incredible views all around, ordinarily the house would have been situated in the center, impacting a large field where deer and elk come to feed. Instead, the family chose to leave the field natural and untouched. The home was tucked into the far side of the lot with minimal disruption to the site, creating a beautiful foreground as you approach the house. The family’s daughter named the residence after the deer and elk co-habitants.
Glacier Eye Clinic is a 29,000 sq. ft. building composed on a naturally sloping site, oriented to take full advantage of the views of Glacier National Park. The grand lobby was designed to capture an abundance of natural light and create a focal point and main entry that serves as a wayfinding destination throughout the large facility. Comprising exam rooms, surgical areas, optical retail area, and a brand-new addition to accommodate LASIK eye surgery, the clinic offers an “all-in-one,” specialized experience. The lobby, state-of-the art equipment, exam and surgery rooms complement the expertise of the staff and result in the client’s goal for a high-tech, patient-centered, welcoming design.
At its heart, this vacation house is about creating a place where a young family can gather away from the city to enjoy the outdoors and build a legacy of memories. Located on the ecotone, or border, between a Ponderosa pine forest and lake, the home is a framework for the family to experience nature. The house emphasizes the crossing point between these two ecological zones – a distinct yet subtle marker of the family’s presence and legacy.
Sitting adjacent to a serene mountain lake, this charming, one-bedroom cabin offers an escape to the wilderness with all the luxury comforts that make it so you never want to leave. The open floor plan and large windows maximize views of the lake and Pintler Peaks beyond. The design team worked to create a rustic feel complimented by large windows facing the lake, letting in plenty of natural light. A dock and beach complete the connection to the lake where you can test your luck chasing trout.
When developing concepts for the new 1,500-student Gallatin High School in Bozeman, Montana, the design team and the building committee gravitated toward a layout inspired by a town center. The Town Center concept represents a place where people come together for a variety of purposes a focal point for meetings, commerce, social interaction, and other public events all aligned with building a unified, interactive community.
More than 10 years in the making, the $52.7 million expansion and renovation of the Montana Heritage Center will be a state-of-the-art repository for the state’s historic collections and resources, serving as a place for learning and discovery. When complete, the project will nearly double the size of the existing building and include 66,000 square feet of new space, plus exterior and interior renovations to 66,995 square feet of the existing 1952 Veterans and Pioneers Memorial Building. The Cushing Terrell design melds new with historic, using the space between the two structures to create a dramatic entry that will seamlessly connect the two facilities.
Redefining the mountain rustic cabin is a challenge of integrating vernacular, regionalism, and a touch of modernism. Early in discussions with the client, we identified a driving force for the project: interaction of the house with the site, and creation of space that felt part of the surrounding forest, blurring the line between the outside and inside spaces of the house. The site offers stunning views of Rock Creek, yet is situated at a narrow point between the creek and a public access road. The topography and narrow site pushed the design toward a linear floor plan that could be perched on top of the ridge and work with the oxbow of the creek below. Interior spaces are opened up to allow light and air to move through them. The home fosters a close relationship with the landscape and the site, and scenic views were a heavily prioritized.
Connecting to your surroundings and the natural setting is not always about emulating an architectural vernacular. With roots in the mid-century modern style, simple volumes provide an honest view into this home’s space planning while naturally-aged and locally-sourced materials help the exterior mesh with varying seasonal color pallets. Pops of color on exterior doors provide a glimpse of the whimsical interior where views of the Montana landscape are paramount to architectural embellishment. A holistic approach was taken in both the building’s impact on the environment and the life cycle of a family. Structural materials are used as finished surfaces while simultaneously allowing for an upgraded insulation package and in-floor radiant heating throughout. Mindful positioning of windows and canopies shield the summer sun, frame views, and create outdoor living spaces while eliminating the need for air conditioning. An attached apartment provides for a multi-generation home that accommodates all stages of a family’s life. With an efficient use of space and a focus on cost-effective detailing, this home is a testament to the value of good design.
Bryant Elementary School is one of three new schools in Helena, Montana. Designed to replace its 80-year-old predecessor which suffered from aging infrastructure and overcrowding, the new, two-story, 44,792-square-foot building is three times the size of the original and features an elevated sky bridge, connecting classrooms and administration areas to a community gym and music room. Each grade level (K-5) has classrooms and common areas, linked by paint accents in a single bright color. Adjustable lighting and plenty of natural light in the classrooms reinforce wellness.
Exemplifying a balance of form and function, the Bigfork High School remodel and expansion was driven by the existing site’s unique opportunities, characteristics, and systems. Proper planning, scheduling, budgeting, and careful coordination between design and construction allowed for the school to remain operational with minimal disruption to teaching and learning. In the completed project, a centralized “commons” area is the focal point of design, allowing space for congregation and event spillover, as well as serving as a central access point to new areas like the library, choir/band complex, expanded gym, student store, guidance counselor suite, and additional classrooms.
Structural Engineer: Zachary Diede, Structural Engineer Sr
Design team: Shane Jacobs, Alan Petersen, Frances Quiram, Frederick Dickinson, Casey O’Harren T, Trent Schwartzkopf, Sawyer Arneson-Nelson, Alan Taylor T, Scott Galli, Michael Kaufman, David Koel, Shawn Pauly, Corey Johnson, David Mitchell, Robbie Mathiason
email
Facebook
Twitter
RSS Feed
