by O’Neill Rose Architects

Cowboy Heaven is a 10,500-square-foot home partly embedded into the mountainside, with a roofline that climbs and descends to frame both mountain and valley vistas.
The inspiration for our Cowboy Heaven project comes from the snow fences that run across the rolling fields of America’s west. These snow fences are large timber structures primarily used to protect cattle by catching and directing drifting snow. We first saw these fences on our initial drive to the site and it was a clear indicator of how land and weather would impact the project.
Moved by the beauty of the rugged land, we decided to work in partnership with both the site’s natural topography and extreme environment. Starkly beautiful, the steep, narrow site sits 8,400 feet above sea level, Fifty mile-per-hour winds, twelve foot snowbanks, and -15 degree temperatures are common. The house is positioned in a narrow cut just below the highest point of the site, which allows the land to wrap around the house on the north/west side, softening the impact of the prevailing winds. The house’s stone base is a full story high to weather the 12 foot snows. Embedded to the north/west, the stone base extends like a ships prow to the north/east.
The upper portion of the house is wrapped in a basket weave of Shou Sugi Ban. Inspired by the snow fences, this wood cladding literally catches the snow within the façade of the building. In places, this screen separates from the building, creating exterior spaces where the snow is held back so our clients can enjoy a protected moment outdoors. Supported by the stone prow, the upper volume of the house cantilevers north and east, capturing multiple views of the mountains and valleys. One example of this strategy is the hot tub terrace, where the basket weave screen separates from the house and lightly encloses the terrace, framing views of the Spanish Peaks and Ennis Valley beyond.
A geothermal system with a super insulatedR50+, radiant flooring, and triple glazed windows all work together to create a highly efficient home.
The interiors also subtly reference the landscape: sculptural plaster ceilings hang like inverted snow drifts, and vertically fluted ash millwork.
Category:Vacation HomesYear:2023Location:Big Sky, Montana, USA Architects:O'Neill Rose ArchitectsDesign Team: Devin O'Neill, Ali Ward, and Hong BaeContractor:On Site Management, Inc.Client: Bose FamilyPhotographer: Matthew Millman