A residence opens up to spectacular views in Colorado

Nestled on the hillside with views of Colorado's Snowmass Mountain, the Owl Creek residence designed by Skylab is a place to get together and reconnect with nature.

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015 Photo Jeremy Bittermann

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015 Photo Jeremy Bittermann

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015 Photo Jeremy Bittermann

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015 Photo Jeremy Bittermann

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015 Photo Robert Reck

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015 Photo Robert Reck

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015 Photo Stephen Miller

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015 Photo Robert Reck

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015 Photo Jeremy Bittermann

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015 Photo Jeremy Bittermann

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015 Photo Jeremy Bittermann

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015 Photo Stephen Miller

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015 Photo Jeremy Bittermann

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015 Photo Stephen Miller

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015 Photo Jeremy Bittermann

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015 Photo Jeremy Bittermann

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015 Photo Jeremy Bittermann

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015 Photo Jeremy Bittermann

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015 Photo Jeremy Bittermann

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015 Photo Robert Reck

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015 Photo Jeremy Bittermann

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015 Photo Jeremy Bittermann

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015 Project area

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015 Section and design schemes

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015 Section and design schemes

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015 Covering plan

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015 Lower floor plan

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015 Upper floor plan

The rigid height limits and slope constraints imposed by the project site dictated the design choices. A prefabricated steel frame anchored to the ground defines the triangular plan of the residence and its multi-faceted volume characterized by a large jutting roof that follows the slope of the hill to ensure the proper flow of snow and water.

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015. Foto Jeremy Bittermann

Equipped with a triangular layout and two main glazed fronts, oriented east-west, the two storey structure makes use of the slope of the terrain to open up to spectacular views of the surrounding rocky landscape and welcome natural light in its interior. The lower level houses a thermal pool on the terrace in addition to the guest bedrooms on the side wings. The entrance courtyard on the rear side of the residence leads to a terraced area that follows the topography of the ground, a small living room that becomes the heart and ordering space of the house around which develops the staircase leading to the upper floor. 

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015. Photo Jeremy Bittermann

A collection of common spaces where people can gather around the fireplace or a barbecue, occupy the upper level. The projecting roof protects the glass walls and identifies covered terraces. The structure of the residence is left exposed and covered with wood, stone, glass and steel blades. The natural materials of the interior provide a total experience of the living space, in balance with the light and in harmony with the sorrounding landscape.

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015. Photo Robert Reck
  • Owl Creek Residence
  • Residence
  • skylab
  • Jeff Kovel, Brent Grubb, Nathan Cox, Mark Nye, Joe Bashaw, Ben Porto, Josh Ashcroft
  • Colorado, U.S.A
  • 420 sqm
  • Studio Lambiotte, LLC
  • Mountain Design Group
  • Resource Engineering Group and Architectural Engineering Consultants
  • CTL Thompson Incorporated
  • Artifex
  • Lighting Workshop, Inc.
  • 2015
Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015

Photo Jeremy Bittermann

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015

Photo Jeremy Bittermann

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015

Photo Jeremy Bittermann

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015

Photo Jeremy Bittermann

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015

Photo Robert Reck

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015

Photo Robert Reck

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015

Photo Stephen Miller

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015

Photo Robert Reck

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015

Photo Jeremy Bittermann

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015

Photo Jeremy Bittermann

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015

Photo Jeremy Bittermann

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015

Photo Stephen Miller

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015

Photo Jeremy Bittermann

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015

Photo Stephen Miller

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015

Photo Jeremy Bittermann

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015

Photo Jeremy Bittermann

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015

Photo Jeremy Bittermann

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015

Photo Jeremy Bittermann

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015

Photo Jeremy Bittermann

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015

Photo Robert Reck

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015

Photo Jeremy Bittermann

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015

Photo Jeremy Bittermann

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015

Project area

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015

Section and design schemes

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015

Section and design schemes

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015

Covering plan

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015

Lower floor plan

Skylab, Owl Creek Residence, Colorado, 2015

Upper floor plan