MAISON TABERNASH

HOME IN THE MOUNTAINS

Type: Residential

Location: Tabernash, CO

Year: 2021

Status: Unbuilt

Partners-in-charge: Ryan Glick, Silvana Herrera & Armando Rigau

Description:  The design for Maison Tabernash, a residential retreat for a French-Canadian family, is conceptually derived from its natural context: a mountainous playscape of activity and beauty. The site is situated an hour west from the Continental Divide, a geological inflection point that splits the United States territory. For the design, diagrammatic overlays of the surrounding geological strata – with 13,000-feet-high mountain peaks – resulted in the organizational strategy for the project. “Ridges” are articulated as solid, concrete masses that serve to divide primary spaces, contain secondary programs, and harvest sustainable strategies. “Valleys”, conceptually related to the natural south facing voids of the nearby mountains, shelter the active and lively social program. With lush greenery in the summers and snowy winters, Maison Tabernash is a place to experience nature in all its forms of radicality.

The house sits on a natural transition line between a 22-degree slope and a grove of trees. Upon arrival on the roofscape, the home appears as an extension from the existing landscape. To enter, visitors must travel through an entry bridge with an open-grate floor that creates a sense of floating between walls. Inside, a continuous circulation bar binds all programmatic spaces. Bedrooms are pushed to either end, while indoor and outdoor communal spaces are anchored at the heart of the home. “Valleys” (primary spaces) are interceded by “ridges” that host secondary activities, such as bathrooms, mechanical areas, and storage spaces. On the lower level, an exterior stair leads to a compact rental unit and covered exterior space. As one moves through the project, the mountains beyond are concealed through glass, wood, and concrete. The architecture slowly reframes the views, putting the sublime in focus.

A new walking trail connects the primary structure to an accessory garage unit at the bottom of the site. The garage building – also oriented toward the mountain views – further extends the project’s material and conceptual themes. Workshop and loft areas are anchored by another “ridge” that contains the main entry, circulation, and storage.

Passive and active sustainable strategies reinforce this house’s capability to endure the radical climactic digressions of Colorado. Like natural rock formations, the artificially built “ridges” are massive elements that absorb solar radiation during the day and release it to the interior in the evenings. They also protect openings from the prevailing winter winds. The south facing façade holds deep roof overhangs, which limits radiation through the glass in summer and allows solar radiation in winter months. As an extension of the landscape the vegetated roofscape insulates, reduces energy requirements, collects rainwater, increases roof longevity when compared to conventional assemblies, and reinforces a visual connection to the site. Lastly, with 244 sunny days per year, the accessory building houses photovoltaic panels to harvest solar energy.