Pub. 1 2013 Directory

22 THE MONTANA ARCHITECT | 2013 | www.aia-mt.org S lipped quietly among a forest of western larch trees, the Cohen residence quietly hugs the southern slope of Big Mountain, capturing a high view of the slopes of Whitefish Mountain ski Resort upslope, while filling the scenery downhill with a quiet, tree- filtered panorama of Whitefish Lake. The client desired a simple, compact home high in the mountains where he could retreat, but also entertain, work, contemplate, ski, hike, and sleep. Rustic was not in his vocabulary; instead words like simple, clean, site-appropriate, efficient, responsible, and view-centered surfaced as drivers to the design direction. The plan, a mere 22 foot-wide rectangle, is organized roughly along an east-west axis, oriented to take full advantage of views up and down the slope upon which the building rests. This curiously narrow arrangement is generously adorned with glazing in appropriate locations to allow natural light to fill the spaces within, to the point where no artificial lighting is needed throughout daylight hours. The guest entry is located in an inconspicuous and non-conventional location, far from the heart of the home. This was an intentional move, channeling guests down the long, clerestoried art gallery hall before being welcomed into the living area. Access to the master quarters on the upper floor exists at the westernmost terminus of this hallway, thereby condensing all circulation in the home to the northernmost 4 feet, adding to the overall efficiency of the plan. Weighing in at a mere 2500 square feet, the residence was constructed for approximately $750,000 (in this neighborhood, no small feat). While the client decided not to pursue LEED, highly durable and lasting materials were used, and sustainable practices were sought at every possible turn, including a green roof design, a ground, polished and exposed concrete floor (with in-floor radiant heat throughout), Paperstone countertops (recycled paper), low- flow dual-flush toilets, cork flooring (on the second floor), locally-made concrete counters and sinks in the master suite, solid surface countertops in the guest suite and laundry room made with recycled content, glass tile in the kitchen made with recycled content, low-e insulated high-efficiency windows. The compact narrowness of the plan, coupled with very Citation Award Merit Award Cohen Residence Project Location: Whitefish, Montana Lead Architect: David Koel, AIA Architecture Team: David Mitchell Fran Quiram Firm: CTA Architects Engineers 2 Main Street, #205 Kalispell, MT 59901 davidk@ctagroup.com