Traditional materials and details of the American west but modernized for today's progressive aesthetic.
We love this feature build from Architectural Digest, a modern home in Wyoming from New York City–based architecture firm Messana O’Rorke.
A beautiful build site, surrounded by unmatched natural wilderness and a stunning backdrop of mountains.
“This particular area of Jackson has very specific architectural standards. There are restrictions on the height of the structure and the pitch of the roof, the kinds of materials you can build with, and the amount of clear, uninterrupted glass,” Messana told AD. “We had to adapt our usual palette and lexicon, but our fundamental approach remained the same. Our work here is still focused on clarity of form and space.”
” …They had little interest in stereotypical domestic interpretations of the American West, replete with antler chandeliers and overstuffed wing chairs in plaid fabrics. They were looking for something decidedly more contemporary.”
Quite a substantial home of 5,000 square feet, the architects decided to separate it into four seemingly separate buildings, each attached by glass hallways – though from afar they each look like different structures to enjoy life in.
A variety of materials adorn these ‘separate’ structures, from stained cedar siding, cedar shingles, and rustic stone. And the openness of the design is further enhanced by massive glass pocket doors that open the indoors to the out, with its expansive views when the Wyoming weather is palatable.
An outdoor kitchen and dining table sit at the back of the house while the front enjoys a reflective pool and firepit to revel in the famed Jackson sunsets.
“We were constantly looking to frame views and manipulate sight lines to build expectation and heighten the drama.”
Moving on to the interior, we see French oak floors of a wide plank and vertical wire-brushed oak. Granite floors and marble walls complete a blissful home spa (quite necessary in the blustery Wyoming climate).
You’ll easily notice throughout the featured photos that there is a marked absence of bold colors and patterns in the home, rather to allow for the full experience of the landscape.
