Young Projects, the creative collective led by Bryan Young, designed a 3,320-square-foot residence in the foothills of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Conceived as a family vacation home, the project is a mountain retreat defined by striking sculptural gestures and sweeping views, complementing the lush natural landscape where the forest and mountains meet.
The residence consists of one primary suite, three guest bedrooms, an open-plan living, kitchen, dining area and a study.
Set in a low-density forest development, the rich, earthy backdrop becomes a primary source for the home’s architectural language. Young Projects leverages the dense curtain of the forest for nestled private spaces, and situates communal rooms toward the expansive plains and panoramic mountain views. This division of intimate and open zones offers maximized opportunities for respite, while accommodating moments for gathering and entertaining.
The home’s primary architectural feature is a butterfly roof with a single valley running diagonally from either end of the plan to compress at the ridge line. Designed to appreciate and celebrate the surrounding topography, the sloped roof directs interior spaces toward the dramatic mountain views, while externally, the roofline parallels the natural slope of the terrain. Through this deliberate connection of structure and site, Young Projects effectively minimizes the scale of the two-story home, partially dissolving it into the landscape.
A large boulder at the base of the home informs one of its defining geometric elements–a curved subtraction at the roof’s edge, creating a circular entrance point. Accompanied by a runway of stone-paved steps, this rounded expression further grounds the house within its natural context. Inside, the concave subtraction is represented by a rounded space featuring full-height millwork that intersects the folded ceiling. Three precise openings cut into the millwork create glimpses of the forest and central boulder, animating the otherwise calm interior.
An additional subtraction on the home’s mountain-facing point is cut out, creating two exterior corners. This thoughtful manipulation frames the home’s spectacular views, establishing a vantage point from which to experience the full extent of its vast surroundings.
Across the home’s exterior and interior, Young Projects engages a reserved material palette that emphasizes subtlety over ostentation. Natural finishes and refined textures–including exposed concrete, light wood, and warm stone–honor the living materials beyond its walls. Complementing this understated color scheme are furnishings that blend mid-century icons with contemporary accents to echo the home’s timelessness and materiality. Highlights include pieces from B&B Italia, Bocci and Bloc Studios.
In its totality, the home is a measured experiment in restraint and dialogue. Young Projects’ response to the boundless natural site is a formal, yet dynamic structure that limits disruption and distraction in favor of serenity and reverence.
Team:
Architects: Young Projects
Photographer: Ema Peter
