34 DIGS.NET
| 1.8.2021
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P R O F I L E | S T U A R T S I L K A R C H I T E C T S
TO ACHIEVE THE FEELING
OF THE HOME BEING
AN EXTENSION OF THE
LANDSCAPE ITSELF,
ELEMENTAL MATERIALS,
INCLUDING RUSTED
CORTEN STEEL, WERE
USED FOR THE EXTERIOR.
tuart Silk, principal at Stuart Silk Architects, has
had a long-time relationship with the homeowners
of this project, David and Rosangela, having had
already designed several projects for the couple.
When presented with the opportunity to create a
new home for his established client, one in a stunning alpine
setting with soaring peaks all around, he jumped at the chance.
"It was challenging to design a home at 8,100 feet elevation,
where daily temperature swings can exceed 50 degrees," Silk
confesses. "The building science requirements are complex
in this harsh environment. For instance, thermal barriers are
required or moisture forms allowing mold to grow in the walls
and roof cavities. We needed to integrate a whole-house oxygen
system in addition to other HVAC requirements to boost oxygen
levels to support a good night's sleep." These technical aspects
and considerations, however, didn't undermine the architect's
motivation. On the contrary, his objective was to bring to life
"a timeless, richly detailed, state-of-the-art, modern mountain
home designed to last generations," as he describes it.
Architecturally, the house connects to its context, as if it
were an extension of the extreme landscape itself, a home
rooted to its place. To achieve this feeling, Stuart Silk Architects
chose elemental materials including rusted Corten steel for the
exterior, merging the two-story, 7,331-square-foot residence
S
"I saw the house like a barnacle clinging steadfastly to its precarious perch." — Stuart Silk
