THE GREEN PARADE: THIS SMALL HOUSE THOUGHTFULLY DESIGNED AND BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED - SMALLER HOMES TAKE THEIR PLACE AMONG THE ELITE
By Joan Christensen / Photos by Carter Photographics

The notion that “bigger is better” is hard to dispute when discussing diamond rings and savings accounts. But when the subject is houses, especially some of the thoughtfully designed homes appearing in Grand County, the old adage simply doesn’t apply anymore.

In an era with “super-size it” as the mantra for everything from soft drinks to salad bars to houses, it’s an unexpected pleasure to find a new home that takes the minimalist approach and focuses on impeccable design instead of lots of square footage.

Boulder architect Andy White, of OZ Architecture, and his wife Kami had two specific goals in mind when they began planning their mountain home. They wanted a simple, uncluttered retreat that would refresh and rejuvenate them and was an unmistakable departure from their daily urban environment … a place that would lift their spirits. They also wanted a home that could serve as a convenient base of operations for outdoor recreation – with just a touch of rustic mountain flavor.

Interestingly, an abandoned roadside hotdog stand they spotted while driving through Utah provided the first tickle of inspiration. The mid 20th-century design, glass walls, and shallow sloped roof caught their imagination. They weren’t even deterred when their builder, local contractor Pat Rupert, claimed their design looked like an early McDonald’s.

“I approached the design using the functional ranch cabins in the region as my inspiration because they form such an immediate connection to their site,” explained Andy. “Kami got very involved in the design. I might do things out of habit after being an architect for such a long time, but Kami would make me stop and think if there was a better way.”

So the Whites happily bucked the large house trend and focused instead on creating an intimately-scaled home that would appear to bring the mountains and trees inside and allow the living space to spill outside.

Located in Winter Park Highlands subdivision, this 900 square-foot home sits on a single level with glass windows along the entire south side of the house. The enormous windows stretch from 18 inches above the floor up to the vaulted ceilings. The two primary rooms, the great room and master suite, sit companionably side-by-side and face the southern exposure. Sunlight pours into both rooms and the glass walls make even the tops of the surrounding pine trees visible from throughout the house.

With one step inside, visitors are in the great room since the Whites opted to skip the formality of a foyer. A Scandinavianstyle dining room set and living room furnishings complement the clean, simple aesthetic of the home. A galley-sized kitchen occupies the north wall. The facilities wouldn’t impress devotees of The Food Channel® but the streamlined space is very functional and includes the essentials – a wet bar/sink, refrigerator/freezer, combination microwave/convection oven, and small dishwasher.

The kitchen counter stretches along the north wall underneath two small windows to a minioffice space with enough surface space for a computer and a few office supplies.

“Since our family is just the two of us, we did not feel the need for a ‘McMansion’ for our weekend retreat,” recalls Kami.

The literal centerpiece and focal point of the great room is a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. A niche or rock pocket in the fireplace holds a television that is cleverly disguised behind a painting when not in use. A series of handholds on the massive stone fireplace adds an unexpected touch.

“Kami and I wanted some whimsy in the design. These niches appear as shelves or drawers. In actuality, the handholds are combined with a strategically shaped stone hearth and a pipe in the loft that makes it possible to climb up to the ceiling above the fireplace,” points out Andy.

To keep the flowing floor plan as open as possible, interior doors are limited to pocket doors – one for the finely detailed bathroom between the two rooms and one that separates the bedroom from the living room. A walk-in master closet is simply a narrow space running behind the back wall of the bedroom with its opening framed by the bedroom wall.

Local contractor Pat Rupert helped them nail down all the little details. “Although this house is an example of minimalist architecture, the specification sheet was the size of a small phone book,” he recalls.

A covered 500-square-foot deck stretches outside the glassed south wall with a generous overhanging eave that makes the most of year-round sunshine. The low angle of the sun during the winter allows the sun to deliver passive solar heat and plenty of light during the coldest months. The high angle of the summer sun reaches only as far as the interior window sills because of the sloping porch roof which keeps the interior at pleasantly cool temperatures.

But in the Fraser Valley, even the most enlightened aesthetic demands a few functional necessities, covered parking for example. The detached garage stores more than a car. Many of the mechanics and equipment for operating the house are installed here – the boiler for floor heat, water heater, the pressure tank for the well, electric switch gear, and the UPS power back-up. Sports equipment is stored here for easy access and to minimize clutter inside. The garage is conveniently connected to the deck and provides access to the home’s entrance.

The Whites have a tough time identifying what they like best about their small home with the big outdoor feeling.

“We like watching snow fall from high in the forest all the way to the floor, or watching the trees sway,” observes Andy. “We like to see the moon at night and the change of weather during the day,” chimes in Kami. “The large windows frame the beautiful outdoors.”

If this house were a wine, it would probably be a sauvignon blanc – light, clean, fresh, and crisp. The Whites used a light touch with their design, furnishings, and interior decor to create their mountain retreat with an emphasis on clean lines, connection to the outside environment, attention to thoughtful details, and a bit of whimsy.



READ MORE STORIES ON THE GREEN PARADE IN:
• Introduction to Green Building Certification
• Building Dramatically More Comfortable Homes: Green movement nothing new to Seth Sadler
• This Small House: Smaller homes take their place among the elite
• Green Asthetics and Efficiency in the Ideal Mountain Cabin