Our Net Zero at Panoramic Point project was recently featured on the cover of Colorado Homes & Lifestyles, sharing a profile of the sustainable home design in Steamboat Springs. After our initial meeting with the client we understood their vision that wasn’t based on furniture or layouts, but on how they wanted to feel when they walked through the door, relaxed and at ease.
From the front door guests can admire valley views below the grounded home.
This sensation of taking a deep breath was our guiding principle for the net-zero home design. Partner Sarah Tiedeken O’Brien and architect Andrew Pharis on our team decided to orient the structure toward the Flat Tops mountain range, with sweeping views visible from the front door. They also tucked the home into a steep slope to minimize the mass of the home rather than it being perched.
Designed with sustainability at its core, this net-zero home design seamlessly integrates with the natural slope of the land while maximizing solar energy.
A Commitment to Sustainability
The homeowners were invested in an environmentally savvy home, making the space for solar vital to the functionality of the home. This focus on sustainability was a cornerstone of the project, filtering every material and product through a diligent eco-friendly lens.
Whenever possible, interior materials with the DECLARE label certification were chosen. Sourcing large project items like wood timbers and flooring from vendors who practice ethical forestry was crucial. For example, formaldehyde-free plywood was chosen for the cabinets, which were then crafted by a local millwork company to further reduce the carbon footprint. The triple paned doors and windows were made within the U.S. The stone was quarried from Telluride Stone Company nearby and the bio-ethanol fireplaces and all-electric systems are supported by a solar field, making this a true net-zero home design. Plus, the homeowners have a smart panel to receive real time energy usage data.
From the appliances to timber tresses, each choice for the home was made with environmental responsibility in mind
Blending the Modern and the Natural
Outside, timber columns, stone veneer and wood siding reflect the traditional vernacular while flat roofs give the architecture a contemporary direction. These hand-hewn timbers and patinated metal accents are repeated inside, creating a cohesive design that honors Western heritage. Main living areas are oriented toward the valley views, putting nature at the forefront of the design.
The interior design of the home introduces rich layers of texture, including a chenille sofa in the great room and a hair-on-hide chevron-patterned headboard in the primary bedroom. A low-ceilinged, circular seating area offers a sense of intimacy within the large main living space, dividing it into different moods and moments. Art also plays a significant role in the home’s character, featuring pieces from Colorado and Navajo artists.
Rich textures and natural materials create a warm, inviting atmosphere in the great room, highlighted by a sliding panel of artwork to cover the TV.
Designed for Family, Crafted for Play
Crafted with future generations in mind, this legacy residence features a great room and primary suite on the main level for ease of living. Two children’s bedrooms are upstairs, while recreation, guest and bunk rooms on the lower walkout level allow guests to have a private experience. A playful staircase connects the upstairs bedrooms to the garage and mudroom for extra functionality.
Guests can feel at home with their own common living areas and private bedrooms.
Embodying the home’s playful spirit, a hidden speakeasy, accessible by pulling a book from a shelf on the office wall, adds a sense of light-hearted fun. From its commitment to sustainability to its playful hidden details, this net-zero home design is more than just a house; it’s a place for a family to make cherished memories for years to come.
A hidden speakeasy adds Western charm, with a darker palette, traditional leather and moody lighting.