Hillside House

Set within a vast, sloping site, this residence is partially embedded into the landscape. Responding directly to the topography, two interlocking volumes step down the natural grade, maintaining a low overall profile while maximizing access to views and daylight.

Passive design strategies shape the organization of the home. Oriented to the south, the building captures long views across the prairie landscape while optimizing solar gain. Deep roof overhangs provide shade during the intense summer months, reducing heat gain and extending the interior living spaces into a large covered verandah.

The northern edge of the upper volume is largely embedded, with glazing limited to clerestory openings that bring in soft, indirect daylight. Thick insulated concrete form (ICF) walls provide thermal mass and stability, supporting performance through extreme seasonal variation. In contrast, the lower volume is rotated toward the south, opening fully to the landscape while forming a sheltered condition that protects against prevailing westerly winds.

The material palette is grounded in durability and weathering. Raw concrete and naturally patinating metals are selected to sit in dialogue with the surrounding environment, shifting subtly over time while withstanding hot, dry summers and cold winter conditions.