Hillside Residence

A thoughtful redesign for an established couple rebuilding after the Marshall Fire, this home transforms loss into opportunity. Elevated a story above the street, the main living level creates a quiet refuge oriented toward daylight and layered views. Shed roofs, refined glazing, and reorganized spaces bring clarity, movement, and a renewed sense of belonging to a site the owners have cherished for decades. Although another architect had begun the design, the home was fully re-envisioned to better shape light, views, and spatial flow - bringing coherence, comfort, and modern expression to a deeply meaningful rebuild.

The site slopes from north to south, allowing the garage to rest naturally at street level while the main entry is elevated above. This raised arrival creates a gentle sense of separation; stepping inside, visitors are met with soft western light, glimpses of the surrounding neighborhood, and an immediate connection to the landscape. The redesigned massing replaces the original gables with shed roofs, opening expansive surfaces for solar panels and giving the home a contemporary profile that responds gracefully to the slope and sun.

Inside, the main floor is organized for ease, clarity, and the quiet pleasure of daily routines. The monostringer stair, now relocated to the southwest, is wrapped in generous glazing that pours light into the circulation spine. At the center of the home, a stone-wrapped elevator anchors the plan - a subtle, sculptural presence that offers effortless access between levels while grounding the light-filled spaces around it. The dining and kitchen spaces extend along the northwestern edge flowing into the living area with north, west and southern windows, capturing light throughout the day. The kitchen was reimagined with a strong visual focal point - a feature range wall balanced by a generous seating island that supports gathering and connection. Nearby, a music room enjoys warm southern exposure, while two guest bedrooms and a small conservatory at the northeast corner offer flexible, light-filled spaces for hobbies, reading, or visiting family and friends.

The entire upper level is devoted to the owners - a sanctuary above the neighborhood. The primary suite was reorganized to allow for a generous elevated deck with open views to the east, long views to the south, and subtle glimpses of the mountains to the west. The primary bath was redesigned as a place of calm retreat, with a long floating vanity, a spacious two-person steam shower, a private toilet area, and a statement freestanding bathtub for restorative ritual. A second deck, accessed from the primary closet, creates a quiet morning or afternoon perch and forms a covered outdoor space off the kitchen below. At the top of the stair, a small landing with a wet bar becomes a meditation space bathed in early light - a soft, private moment at the heart of the home.

The lower level serves as a guest suite, theater, pool table area with wet bar, and laundry room - complete with a custom dog-wash sink for the couple’s pugs - create a comfortable, flexible environment for daily life.

Throughout the home, sustainability and performance were woven into the design. Shed roofs maximize solar potential; daylighting and high-performance glazing reduce energy demand; and the building envelope and systems were selected for comfort, longevity, and ease of use. Materials emphasize warmth, durability, and low maintenance - essential for a home intended to support its owners for decades to come.

More than a reconstruction, this residence represents a thoughtful reimagining - a home shaped by resilience, clarity, and the desire to move forward with purpose. It stands as a quiet, grounded response to loss, offering its owners not just shelter, but a renewed sense of comfort, warmth, and place.