Flat building sites are rare in the mountains of Colorado. It is not possible to simply take a stock house plan and plop it on your mountain lot. Each home must be designed specifically for the lot it is being built on, taking into consideration topography, access, utilities, local regulations, and views. It’s a more complicated puzzle than many people realize, especially when you factor in several feet of snow as well!
This single-family home under construction in Blue River exemplifies some of these constraints and how our mountain design experience leads to great solutions.
The site is small and steep with fantastic views of the continental divide. We oriented this 3 bed/3.5 bath home towards to the views. It is tight to the setbacks on three sides while still allowing for a varied façade and ample outdoor space on both levels. The walkout basement takes advantage of the steep slope and opens to the view. The building location and orientation allow for a gentle driveway slope and space for both snow storage and the septic system which is hemmed in by setbacks from existing wells. The roof forms shed snow away from outdoor living spaces and access points, minimizing the need for shoveling and reducing the risk of falling snow and ice.
The final design is specific and responsive to this exact site and the owners design criteria. A different site or different client would yield a very different solution. At Arapahoe Architects, we pride ourselves on finding the best architectural solution for your unique needs and your unique site.
See these recently completed projects that also involve designing around steep and restrictive sites:
Are you on a steep lot and need help figuring out how to build or expand your dream home? contact us today!