Aspen Grove

The Aspen Grove House was created for a couple whose shared passions are skiing, music, reading, feasting, their beloved dog, and the Methow Valley. They wanted something simple and practical, so the interest and delight of the home come through thoughtful details and use of materials. The house provides a backdrop to the couple’s interesting life.

The house embraces its dramatic location at the toe of Flagg Mountain, enveloped by aspen trees. A 5,000 sf “buildable zone” limited where the house could be placed. A nearby road and popular ski trail made creation of private areas challenging.

The design began as a 2600 sf, “box” within the buildable area. The first move was to carve away portions of the box to create outdoor rooms, responding to different views and allowing different levels of exposure. The external “skin” is rusted steel siding. Wherever the plan cuts into the box, the exposed “flesh” is dark-stained cedar siding. Setting the house below road level adds privacy. The master bedroom opens into the grove, while a tall ceiling and windows at the living room encompass Flagg Mountain in the foreground. The kitchen and dining spaces open into the central outdoor room.

The house was designed to be resilient and “firewise.” Materials are fire-resistive and the landscaping creates a non-combustible perimeter zone. Other sustainable strategies include passive shading, a high-performing thermal envelope, LED lighting and low-flow plumbing fixtures.

The owners love the house’s details, such as the seamless stainless steel kitchen countertops and custom casework. A dark band of wood encircling kitchen, living, and dining spaces acts as light cove, blind pocket, and picture rail. Window seats in the living room are cozy on a winter afternoon, encouraging guests to sit and chat while watching skiers glide by on the ski trail.