2017 Directory

34 WYOMING ARCHITECTURE .17 | www.aia-wyoming.org Location: Wilson, WY Size: 2,400 sq ft Category: Residential Fish Creek Compound Carney Logan Burke Architects Diagonal House Dynia Architects Award of Citation This house and guest house on a gently sloping 5-acre wooded site is the personal residence of the architect and his wife. Features of the lushly forested proper- ty are a seasonal stream and stunning views of the Sleeping Indian, an iconic peak across the valley to the east. The thick understory of berries, wildflowers, and other vegetation attracts abundant wildlife, which is a constant reminder of the unique qualities of this very special landscape. The goal of the design was to create a compound in harmony with nature where multiple generations of the architect’s extended family could gather and experience the wonders of the site, while also serving as an intimate home for two. Guesthouse: The design was completed in two phases over the course of five years with the guesthouse being done first. This allowed the architect to experience the site, weather patterns, quality of light, and seasonal changes over time, which informed his understanding of how they wanted to live in this very special place. The 950-square-foot guesthouse was intended to im- merse the owners in the experience of the forest both visually and aurally. Through its siting near a stream that provides the sound of rushing water, and large windows that open the intimately scaled rooms to the outside, the small house creates the feeling of actually being in the woods. Main House: The master plan for the property located the guesthouse about halfway up the slope and orient- ed on a east/west axis. The site for the main house is about 50’ higher in elevation than the guesthouse and was chosen for its commanding view across a clearing to the valley and distant mountains. Its primary orientation follows the contours on a roughly north- south axis. In order to take full advantage of the site amenities while keeping a low profile, the main house is tucked into the hill and entered from the upper level. Location: Teton Village, WY Size: 10,000 sq ft Category: Residential This house is the result of our intent to do relevant work in the face of conservative jurisdictional design guidelines. Located on a 1.2 acre lot, it was the first house to be built in a new 100 lot subdivision at the base of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. With the objective of creating “western” character: gable roofs, a traditional material palette, and ample formal “variation” were required for subdivision approval. The client’s desire was a unique house that would set an example for what can be done within those guidelines while creating a modern interior. Our solution was to sculpt an unconventional interior - spatially responsive to site conditions – within a conventional but disci- plined building envelope. The primary design feature of the house is the inverted ceiling of the central living space. A diagonal valley creates ceiling planes that rise to opposite corners over primary spaces to capture views of the ski slope to the northwest and sun from the southeast. Fourteen foot high sliding glass walls wrap these corners to connect living space to the landscape. In anticipation of the dense buildout of the subdivision, this space is elevated 4’ above grade and the house is rotated to avoid conflicting views with adjacent building envelopes. The two-story private wings containing bedrooms intersect the living space midpoint in section, creating a contrast of intimacy and openness. The resultant ‘pinwheel plan’ configuration forms exterior quadrants, enhancing outdoor usability at different times of day throughout each year. Interior finishes include exposed concrete shear walls, walnut cabinets and white plaster to create a light filled living environment. Outside, the central pavilion is highlighted with cedar in a color and scale that contrasts with the black siding of secondary building forms. A black zinc roof and areas of board-formed concrete attest to our tenacity with the subdivision design review committee. Award of Excellence All the living areas including a screened porch, music room, and the master suite are on the upper floor with two bedrooms, laundry, and mechanical space on the lower floor. The diagram for the house reconciles the topography sloping down to the southeast with the main view roughly due east across the valley to the Sleeping Indian. The resulting angles are resolved in a concrete wall that follows the contours and is overhung by two shed-roof pavilions exactly aligned on the peak. Once the location of the living and master wing pavilions were established, the driveway, garage, and entry design followed, with a covered porch parallel to the creek leading to the front door.