Clay Construction | 604-560-8727 | clayconstruction.ca

Designed as a prominent display of Architecture, Elk Ridge Lodge stands firmly upon a ridge high atop the Spanish Peaks Club in Big Sky, Montana. Designed around a number of principles; sense of presence, quality of detail, and durability, the monumental home serves as a Montana Legacy home for the family. Throughout the design process, the height of the home to its relationship on the ridge it sits, was recognized the as one of the design challenges. Techniques such as terracing roof lines, stretching horizontal stone patios out and strategically placed landscaping; all were used to help tuck the mass into its setting. Earthy colored and rustic exterior materials were chosen to offer a western lodge like architectural aesthetic. Dry stack parkitecture stone bases that gradually decrease in scale as they rise up portray a firm foundation for the home to sit on. Historic wood planking with sanded chink joints, horizontal siding with exposed vertical studs on the exterior, and metal accents comprise the remainder of the structures skin. Wood timbers, outriggers and cedar logs work together to create diversity and focal points throughout the exterior elevations. Windows and doors were discussed in depth about type, species and texture and ultimately all wood, wire brushed cedar windows were the final selection to enhance the "elegant ranch" feel. A number of exterior decks and patios increase the connectivity of the interior to the exterior and take full advantage of the views that virtually surround this home. Upon entering the home you are encased by massive stone piers and angled cedar columns on either side that support an overhead rail bridge spanning the width of the great room, all framing the spectacular view to the Spanish Peaks Mountain Range in the distance. The layout of the home is an open concept with the Kitchen, Great Room, Den, and key circulation paths, as well as certain elements of the upper level open to the spaces below. The kitchen was designed to serve as an extension of the great room, constantly connecting users of both spaces, while the Dining room is still adjacent, it was preferred as a more dedicated space for more formal family meals. There are numerous detailed elements throughout the interior of the home such as the "rail" bridge ornamented with heavy peened black steel, wire brushed wood to match the windows and doors, and cannon ball newel post caps. Crossing the bridge offers a unique perspective of the Great Room with the massive cedar log columns, the truss work overhead bound by steel straps, and the large windows facing towards the Spanish Peaks. As you experience the spaces you will recognize massive timbers crowning the ceilings with wood planking or plaster between, Roman groin vaults, massive stones and fireboxes creating distinct center pieces for certain rooms, and clerestory windows that aid with natural lighting and create exciting movement throughout the space with light and shadow.

Western Sun

The soft green opalescent tile in the shower and on the floor creates a subtle tactile geometry, in harmony with the matte white paint used on the wall and ceiling; semi gloss is used on the trim for additional subtle contrast. The sink has clean simple lines while providing much-needed accessible storage space. A clear frameless shower enclosure allows unobstructed views of the space.

Reception with Study to left

This home was built and designed for a family that wanted to be able to entertain, lounge and live at home. They wanted a level of formality that would stand up to cocktail parties, while maintaining an air of livability throughout the home. Interior Design by Martha O'Hara Interiors Built by TC Home Builders

A playful re-imagining of a Victorian terrace with a large rear extension. The project started as a problem solving exercise – the owner of the house was very tall and he had never been able to have a shower in the pokey outrigger bathroom, there was simply not enough ceiling height. The lower ground floor kitchen also suffered from low ceilings and was dark and uninviting. There was very little connection to the garden, surrounded by trees, which felt like a lost opportunity. The whole house needed rethinking. The solution we proposed was to extend into the generous garden at the rear and reconstruct the existing outrigger with an extra storey. We used the outrigger to relocate the staircase to the lower ground floor, moving it from the centre of the house into a double height space in the extension. This gave the house a very generous sense of height and space and allows light to flood into the kitchen and hall from high level windows. These provide glances of the surrounding tress as you descent to the dining room. The extension allows the kitchen and dining room to push further into the garden, making the most of the views and light. A strip rooflight over the kitchen wall units brings light deep into the space and washes the kitchen with sunlight during the day. Behind the kitchen, where there was no access to natural light, we tucked a utility room and shower room, with a second sitting room at the front of the house. The extension has a green sedum roof to ensure it feels like part of the garden when seen from the upper floors of the house. We used a pale white and yellow brick to complement the colour of the London stock brickwork, but maintain a contemporary aesthetic. Oak windows and sliding door add a warmth to the extension and tie in with the materials we used internally. Internally there is a palette of bold colours to define the living spaces, including an entirely yellow corridor the client has named ‘The Yolky Way’ leading from the kitchen to the front reception room, complete with hidden yellow doors. These are offset against more natural materials such as the oak batten cladding, which define the dining space and also line the back wall of the kitchen concealing the fridge door and larder units. A bespoke terrazzo counter unites the colours of the floor, oak cladding and cupboard doors and the tiled floor leads seamlessly to the outside patio, leading the eye back into the garden. A new bathroom with a generous ceiling height was placed in the reconstructed outrigger, with triple aspect windows, including a picture window at the end of the bath framing views of the trees in the garden. Upstairs we kept the traditional Victorian layout, refurbished the windows and shutters, reinstating cornice and ceiling roses to the principal rooms. At every point in the project the ergonomics of the house were considered, tall doors, very high kitchen worktops and always maximising ceiling heights, ensuring the house was more suited to its tall owner.

Angie Seckinger

“Cobbles” – A Modern glass entry door and versatile design element for contemporary homes. Cool glass, warm woods, made to order from Sculptural Glass Doors. Choice of glass colors and other options are available. Doors are shipped flat rate nationwide. Photo: M. Colbert

Eric Rorer Photography

Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Design | REFINED LLC, Builder | Troy Thies Photography | Shannon Gale, Photo Styling

Sherwin Williams Dover White Exterior Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black garage doors Ebony stained front door and cedar accents on front

Here is my front door after re-painting it with Benjamin Moore's beautiful Hale Navy. I love the little splash of red from the geranium.

Clean, contemporary white oak slab cabinets with a white Chroma Crystal White countertop. Cabinets are set off with sleek stainless steel handles. The appliances are also stainless steel. The diswasher is Bosch, the refridgerator is a Kenmore professional built-in, stainless steel. The hood is stainless and glass from Futuro, Venice model. The double oven is stainless steel from LG. The stainless wine cooler is Uline. the stainless steel built-in microwave is form GE. The irridescent glass back splash that sets off the floating bar cabinet and surrounds window is Vihara Irridescent 1 x 4 glass in Puka. Perfect for entertaining. The floors are Italian ceramic planks that look like hardwood in a driftwood color. Simply gorgeous. Lighting is recessed and kept to a minimum to maintain the crisp clean look the client was striving for. I added a pop of orange and turquoise (not seen in the photos) for pillows on a bench as well as on the accessories. Cabinet fabricator, Mark Klindt ~ www.creativewoodworks.info

A 6' soffit provides for a covered entry experience for our clients guests. The ceiling is covered in select grade cypress, as well as, the rain screen. The concrete patio is stained and surrounds the pool on three sides. A splash of color is provided with the yellow front door. The stairwell is shaded by 2x4 cypress rainscreen as well. Photo by Paul Bardagjy

Residential Design by Heydt Designs, Interior Design by Benjamin Dhong Interiors, Construction by Kearney & O'Banion, Photography by David Duncan Livingston

The Port Ludlow Residence is a compact, 2400 SF modern house located on a wooded waterfront property at the north end of the Hood Canal, a long, fjord-like arm of western Puget Sound. The house creates a simple glazed living space that opens up to become a front porch to the beautiful Hood Canal. The east-facing house is sited along a high bank, with a wonderful view of the water. The main living volume is completely glazed, with 12-ft. high glass walls facing the view and large, 8-ft.x8-ft. sliding glass doors that open to a slightly raised wood deck, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor space. During the warm summer months, the living area feels like a large, open porch. Anchoring the north end of the living space is a two-story building volume containing several bedrooms and separate his/her office spaces. The interior finishes are simple and elegant, with IPE wood flooring, zebrawood cabinet doors with mahogany end panels, quartz and limestone countertops, and Douglas Fir trim and doors. Exterior materials are completely maintenance-free: metal siding and aluminum windows and doors. The metal siding has an alternating pattern using two different siding profiles. The house has a number of sustainable or “green” building features, including 2x8 construction (40% greater insulation value); generous glass areas to provide natural lighting and ventilation; large overhangs for sun and rain protection; metal siding (recycled steel) for maximum durability, and a heat pump mechanical system for maximum energy efficiency. Sustainable interior finish materials include wood cabinets, linoleum floors, low-VOC paints, and natural wool carpet.