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Gallatin Valley, Montana
The design of this home was driven by its spectacular location with views of the entire valley and three mountain ranges. Rolling terrain, view shed restrictions, sun patterns and prevailing winds all impacted room placement and window patterns. The home turns away from the winds and towards the views, mirroring the benchtop topography and nestling into the landscape.
The serendipitous discoveries of 10’ fir doors and curved trusses, all salvaged from local projects added height and curves to the main spaces. The trusses came from a local warehouse that was being dismantled and the doors were rescued from a construction dumpster!
The entry was very important as the homeowners entertain frequently. Guests wind through the exterior arbor, past planters and stained glass windows, and down steps to arrive under the curved roof at the front door; then into a foyer with a lower ceiling before it opens up dramatically to the curved living room space. The living room, dining room and kitchen are open to each other, but each space is defined by its relationship to the peninsula fireplace, lighting, the curved ceiling and the extensive outdoor spaces off each room. The sunroom was of immense importance to the homeowners and was trimmed out with corrugated steel, a drain and a hose for all their plants. The Master Bath has a huge window, but remains completely private thanks to the change in elevation of the floor to the outside grade.
Radiant heat floors and domestic hot water is handled by a dual boiler that is preheated by solar thermal panels which reduce demand for propane. Structural insulated wall and roof panels and energy efficient windows create a snug envelope for cold winters and warm summers.
The exterior siding is corrugated steel and Montana Ghostwood while the roofing is rusted mechanical lock steel from Bridger Steel. All the countertops and shower walls are custom poured and finished flyash concrete and glass from GeoMATRIX. GeoMATRIX also built all the cabinetry of steel and reclaimed pallet wood. The curved ceiling is American Clay from Refuge. Floors are concrete that was finished smooth, then stained and sealed by the homeowners.
Many of the details in this home came from the trusses and the ‘industrial’ esthetic. As we re-configured and re-engineered the reclaimed fir trusses we saved every strap, shear plate and bolt. We then used these pieces for the barn door, the fireplace, the awnings and the arbors. We also used steel trim pieces and bronze hardware to tie it all together.