Kenosha Residence

Sited with intention and sensitivity, this ranch-style home in Erie, Colorado, is raised a half-story above grade to preserve the neighborhood’s open views and address site specific soil and groundwater challenges. Framed as an opportunity, the elevated position honors the land, while offering expansive panoramas of the Front Range to the west.

Generous glazing draws the western landscape inside, capturing the shifting light and drama of the mountains and fields beyond. A covered patio space parallels the west wall, providing sheltered indoor-outdoor living while controlling solar gain and framing views in every season.

The lot itself is generously sized and planted with native species that tie the home to its natural context. Native grasses, shrubs, and ground covers echo the Front Range ecology and create a soft, sustainable landscape palette.

Entry comes from the south, and rather than hiding this challenge, the design embraces it. The foyer becomes a nexus - a stratified moment of arrival - guiding owners and guests inward into the main living spaces. From here, the architecture unfolds with clear connections to the living, dining, and kitchen areas, all aligned for western exposure and mountain views.

The primary suite is conceived as a true sanctuary, nested behind the office, powder room, and the primary closet to create layers of privacy and acoustic separation from the main living spaces. The office itself enjoys western views, but the suite is purposefully tucked just beyond it, where a pair of full-lite double doors, framed by transoms and sidelights, open the bedroom to the mountain views and a private covered patio. The headboard wall is arranged to maintain privacy from the front of the lot while still capturing a clear view of Longs Peak from the bed. In the bath, a generous steam shower with a two-person bench is illuminated by a high south window, while a large expanse of glass beside the tub fills the room with soft daylight and a curated view of the fields and Indian Peaks beyond - allowing the entire space to feel serene, luminous, and deeply connected to the landscape.

Each guest bedroom offers its own private connection to the landscape. Full-lite doors from each suite open onto covered patios, allowing direct views of open space to the north and fostering a seamless indoor-outdoor flow for family and friends.

Throughout, the architecture is rooted in material clarity and environmental consciousness. The raised foundation, thoughtful orientation, and covered outdoor spaces work in harmony to mitigate solar exposure while maximizing comfort. The transparency of glass is balanced with masses of stone and heavy timber details, creating a home that feels both open and grounded.

The result is a home shaped as much by its inhabitants as by its place - open yet sheltered, expansive yet intimate. It engages the Front Range not with spectacle but with a quiet confidence, using form, light, and transparency to frame the rhythms of daily life. More than a residence, it serves as a nuanced framework for living: a modern Colorado retreat where architecture and landscape move in concert, creating moments of connection, calm, and enduring clarity.