GOLD HILL SKI HOUSE

The Gold Hill Ski House is a family retreat intentionally designed to endure the harsh conditions of its mountainous location in the Cascade Range of Washington.  Elevated above a steeply sloping terrain, the home offers a striking sense of floating over the valley and snow-covered landscape. Large window walls create a seamless visual connection with the outdoors, framing expansive views of the whole valley, allowing the rugged landscape to take center stage.

The primary living spaces are located on the upper level, consisting of a combined living, dining, and kitchen area. This open-concept design encourages a sense of togetherness, ideal for family gatherings, while also maximizing generous amounts of natural light. Another distinctive feature of this level is the bridge that connects the two wings. This bridge serves both functional and aesthetic purposes: it creates privacy and elegantly weaves through the site's scattered evergreens. By spreading out the structure across the landscape, the design preserves many of the existing trees, enhancing the home's integration with its natural surroundings.

The home’s materiality and form further contribute to its harmony with the environment. The wood clad building forms appear to float above the more grounded lower level, a base constructed of board-formed concrete and embedded into the hillside, creating a sense of stability and permanence.  This elemental palette of steel, wood, and concrete is used throughout and draws inspiration from the untouched wilderness all around.  Chosen not only for their aesthetic appeal but also for their durability, these materials weather naturally over time, reducing the need for maintenance in the harsh mountain environment.