FRANTZ

BUILT

A modern wooden cabin with a dark metal roof surrounded by evergreen trees and rocks.

This project was designed for a family with long ties to Olympic Valley. The owner grew up in the area and spent winters on the mountain, staying at her family home located in the valley.

When a parcel became available adjacent to the existing family home (owned by her aunt and uncle since 1977), she purchased the property with the intent to build a second home to accommodate her growing family.

The goal was to design a 3,500 square foot home with four bedrooms and five baths. As the design evolved, there was an opportunity to add a second floor bunk room (six beds) and loft/play area. That increased the area to 4,200 square feet, but was seen as a much-needed kid zone.

The home consists of two wings, one which is four bedrooms with en suite baths. The other is the common/entertaining spaces and great room—set on axis for views to Squaw Creek. The entry lands between the two wings of the home. The entertaining areas and primary bedroom open up to terraces adjacent to the creek.

Vernacular alpine forms were a driver for the design for snow and simplicity in construction, in addition to being in harmony with the forest environment.

This project was designed with the high alpine site as a driver for sustainability. The systems of the project include in-floor hydronic heat with multiple zones for energy efficient controls and no AC, the clients elected for passive cooling via operable windows and ceiling fans.

In addition, passive solar strategies were used to maximize daylighting in the winter and minimize heat gain in the summer.

The home is pre-wired for solar film to be installed at a later date, anticipating that solar films should be able to meet the snow load requirements in the next couple of years.

The envelope exceeds R values in both the solid walls and fenestration with argon filled dual glazed doors and windows, clad/thermally broken frames, fully closed cell insulation in both the wall, roof and floor cavities, and rigid insulation under the slab. Deep set windows and doors were incorporated for snow protection.

FRANTZ

Architectural site plan with building layout, landscape features, trees, paths, and contour lines, including a north arrow for orientation.
Wooden architectural model of two adjacent modern buildings with gabled roofs, featuring cut-out windows and doorways, set on a plain white background.
Wooden architectural model of a building with a pitched roof and cut-out windows, casting shadows on a white surface.
Architectural floor plan featuring a residential layout with living area, dining area, bedrooms, kitchen, bathrooms, and garage.
Modern wooden cabin with a metal roof surrounded by trees and rocks in a natural setting.
Modern cabin with a gabled metal roof, wooden exterior, and large window, surrounded by pine trees and rocks.
Modern interior with wooden slat walls, a mounted TV, a horizontal black fireplace, and a window with natural light.
Modern interior with concrete floor, light wood doors, and a view of an adjacent exterior structure through a large window. Natural light enters from windows facing a wooded area.