Panorama Residence

Perched on a steep, sloped lot in Boulder, Colorado, this modern residence was conceived to celebrate the dramatic views of the Flatirons to the south. Generous expanses of south-facing glass draw the landscape inward, flooding the interiors with natural light and transforming the mountain silhouettes into living art.

The site’s topography is a primary driver of the design. Visitors ascend through a composed sequence of terraces and thresholds that gradually reveal the home’s form and its connection to the hillside. Each transition offers quiet moments of pause, deepening the connection between architecture and the hillside it inhabits.

Programmatically, the home responds to the verticality of its site. The lower level rests partially below grade, grounding the structure. Here, a guest suite and bath open to the south through carefully placed windows, capturing both daylight and accommodating privacy. The mudroom, tucked into the slope, receives soft, filtered northern light via a section of full height glazing along the stair on the level above — a small but intentional gesture that maintains the home’s ongoing dialogue with natural light.

The main level above serves as the social heart of the residence. A unique living–kitchen–dining layout opens seamlessly to the outdoors, with shifting volumes that align to the terrain and create dynamic, layered spaces. The kitchen features a fully pocketing sliding door that recesses into the wall, while a motorized screen modulates climate and light without interrupting the view. A butler’s pantry extends directly to the pool terrace, supporting easy, intuitive entertaining. The dining room connects fluidly to the backyard and pool while also maintaining through-views of the Flatirons across the living room, reinforcing the home’s orientation toward the mountains. Along the north side, the stair volume connects all three floors, from the upper landing a wide horizontal transom window captures a curated glimpse of a mature pine tree — an understated yet poetic moment within the procession.

The upper level contains the private retreats. The primary suite features expansive glazing facing the Flatirons, offering uninterrupted morning and evening vistas. A west-facing deck extends the suite outdoors for sunset views. Secondary bedrooms and a flexible fitness and entertainment enjoy their own eastern or western deck connections, establishing a sense of refuge and outdoor access on all sides. From the east deck, an exterior stair ascends to a rooftop terrace - the most elevated vantage point of the residence - where panoramic mountain views unfold even more dramatically.

Sustainability was integrated throughout with high-performance mechanical systems, solar array with battery backup, advanced insulation, and highly thermally-efficient glazing choices. Finish materials were selected for both performance and refined simplicity, reflecting a minimalist sensibility that honors the rugged elegance of the surrounding landscape.

This residence is more than a home - it is an intentional dialogue between architecture and environment, shaped by light, movement, and place. Every decision is anchored in performance and experiential quality, resulting in a living experience that is both timeless and deeply attuned to this quintessentially Colorado site.