Pub. 2 2014 Directory

24 THE MONTANA ARCHITECT | 2014 | www.aia-mt.org I t seemed as though we’d been driving forever. Tight, winding switchbacks chirped the front tires as we climbed ever higher into the thickened wilderness. Were it not for the ever-widening and impressive view of Flathead Lake materializing far below to distract our attention, I’m certain car sickness would’ve set in. An abrupt stop. “That’s the site, up there.” We looked ahead, but saw nothing. He pointed far uphill, to a distant knoll. “No. Up THERE.” Skyhouse was designed as a family retreat to allow the client, a friendly couple from Texas, privacy and solace as well as a place to entertain their friends. Surrounded by hills and trees, the site was selected in a remote area high above Flathead Lake, near the town of Lakeside, Montana, with an impressive panoramic view of the lake far below. I remember the first meetings. Images and ideas, scribbles and drawings. Site visits regarding orientation, access, garages, and explosives (the hill consisted mostly of rock). Conversations about views, grade, entry sequences. Through it all, the client was insistent upon locating the kitchen with the most commanding view of the lake below… Nothing else in the house seemed to matter to her, at least for the moment. She was willing to forgo what all kitchen consultants and kitchen design guide books would tell her, and simply abandon what most of us refer to as ‘upper cabinets’ entirely. In their place, a majestic 180 degree view, literally heaven on earth. And she was right to do it. They were interested in opening up the spaces to the exterior, bringing the outside in, so-to-speak. We recommended glassy Nanawalls, and before you know it, we’d designed two of them—one from the kitchen and one from the great room—to open on to the main terrace overlooking the lake. We settled upon designing a rolling table that can be used in the house, or rolled outdoors to be used for summer use on the terrace. They also wanted a convenient bar, but didn’t like the Location: Lakeside, Montana Principal Architect: David Koel, AIA Firm: CTA Architects Engineers CTA Kalispell 2 Main St, Ste 205 Kalispell, MT 59901 Phone:. 406-657-8172 Website: www.ctagroup.com Merit Award Skyhouse Project Photography by Audrey Hall/Heidi Long