Elk Run Residence

Project Details

Project Description

This house, situated on 11 acres in Telluride, Colorado is composed of four distinct components, unified by sweeping sculptural copper roofs. The four elements cradle the motor court and are made up of the great room, the master suite, the art studio and the guest wing. Each element was conceived in response to its program and to its immediate context. The great room is a rectilinear barn shaped building with soaring vaulted open truss ceilings. It faces the two great mountain peaks of Telluride and has expansive 50’ long by 12’ high windows. The guest wing is designed to be separate from the houses main functions, so that the house functions as a smaller unit when there are no guests visiting. This wing has a long low profile roof that sweeps to a low point of just six feet above the ground. Its curved shape relates to the curve of the driveway and directs on into the motor court hidden beyond. The art studio is nestled in the forest. It has a wide panoramic window that is oriented into the trees giving one the feeling of being in a tree house.

While the house is modern in concept, it is realized using traditional materials that fit the mountain environment. Stone walls embrace 12" thick wood walls, accented at points by tree trunk columns. The expansive windows and window walls are constructed of steel frames painted in a rust red color. The windows are divided horizontally with mullions at two feet on center. The wood and stone walls are capped by the sweeping copper roofs and the three tall stone chimneys that rise like funnels above the roof.